How to Tip Like a Local

Rules vary by country, region, scenario
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 30, 2009 1:33 PM CDT
How to Tip Like a Local
When taking an excursion on the Amazon, tip your boatman $10-15 per per day.   (Wikimedia Commons)

Sure, you’ve mastered tipping etiquette in the good old US of A. But what happens when you go abroad? Not only do tipping rules vary by country, they also vary by region and scenario. Condé Nast Traveler has you covered with a new tipping guide. Highlights:

  • Dubai: You can add a few dirhams to the 10% service charge added at hotels, restaurants, and bars.

  • South Africa: Tip the waiter 10-15%; tour guides get $10 per person per day.
  • Brazil: No tip required at restaurants, but boatmen in the Amazon should be tipped $10-$15 per day. Dollars are appreciated here due to the favorable exchange rate.
  • Canada: Restaurant tipping is similar to the US, and feel free to use American dollars—but not cents.
  • Caribbean: Most resorts include a service fee, but you should still tip your concierge for exceptional service.
  • China: Many hotels don’t allow tipping beyond the 10-20% service fee they may add. If you do tip, be very discreet.
  • United Kingdom: If an “optional” service charge is added to your bill, make sure it’s an amount—probably between 10-15%—you feel comfortable paying.
For the complete guide, click the link below. (More Jay-ZTV stories.)

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