Around the World: Tipping Etiquette
Jennifer MerinTipping rules and etiquette are hot topics on Internet travel forums, with numerous posts of inquiry about when/where/whom to tip, how much is expected and fair, how much must be added to your travel budget for gratuities, whether tipping is mandatory or if it can be avoided, and if so, how?
Tipping has always been of concern to travelers wanting to do the right thing when it comes to rewarding workers for services rendered, especially in places where their livelihood may depend largely upon gratuities.
But, there's a new twist to current discussion: Travelers who are trying to stretch their budgets to cover rising costs of the essentials -- transportation, accommodation and meals -- are looking for ways to cut back on service extras, including extraneous gratuities.
"In the 25 years I've been traveling, I've always budgeted for tips higher than whatever might be expected because I've wanted to make people who help me happy I've been there," says Glenda Thomases, a retired schoolteacher. "But travel has become so much more costly, I've had to rethink my tipping habit. I can't afford to be as generous as I was. I've sought ways to cut back -- for example, I bought a rolling suitcase I can easily handle myself so I can avoid tipping bellmen. I used to hand out $2 to $3 each time someone carried my bag -- when you're touring and stay in seven or 10 hotels per trip, those little handouts add up to $100 very quickly, and I'd like to be able to use that money in other ways."
But, confesses Thomases, she suffers being glared at by bellmen and is sometimes scored by others on her tour bus because she insists on toting her own baggage. What, she wonders, should she do?
Unfortunately, the answer isn't as easy as pay or not pay. It's up to Thomases to decide what's more important to her: extra cash or "purchased" approval from workers and fellow travelers.
It's common knowledge that the premise behind tipping is that you're entitled to and will get better service if you pay something extra. But, if you don't use service options presented to you, should you have to pay for them? For example, many hotels offer optional concierge or club floors, where you pay extra for a higher level of service -- faster check-in, breakfasts, a private lounge. You avoid the higher cost by opting for regular service. It seems entirely reasonable that you avoid higher tipping by opting out of services you don't want and/or need.
That said, it's a given that in most places, including domestic destinations, tipping fuels local economy. A certain amount is thought fair for bellmen, other hotel personnel, waiters, cab drivers, tour guides and all the other tourism workers you encounter during your trip. But specific amounts, usually calculated in percentages, vary from region to region, and the going rates change frequently. In general, workers are sensitive about tips and may take offense if tippers aren't right on the money,
In Asia and the Pacific, tipping is a particularly sensitive issue. Workers are expected to perform well in their jobs for the wages they receive. In many places -- Japan, for example -- tipping is considered demeaning, and your well-intended handout might be taken as an insult. As a guide to your behavior, observe locals and follow their lead. If you're unsure about what to do, it's best not to tip.
In Europe, many hotels and restaurants do the tipping math for you, adding a service charge to your bill. In most cases, an additional tip is unnecessary, but if no service charge is added to your bill, 10 percent is the expected tip for restaurant service, and the going rate for porters and bellmen is $1 per bag.
In the Middle East and Africa, tipping may be unnecessary. Look to locals for guidance.
In Central and South America, hotels and restaurants usually bill for service. If not, 10 percent is appropriate for restaurant service, and $1 per bag for porters.
Tippers, have discretion: For superior service, up the ante. For poor service, decrease the amount. When opting out of an optional service, you don't have to tip.
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To find out more about Jennifer Merin and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
Tipping has always been of concern to travelers wanting to do the right thing when it comes to rewarding workers for services rendered, especially in places where their livelihood may depend largely upon gratuities.
But, there's a new twist to current discussion: Travelers who are trying to stretch their budgets to cover rising costs of the essentials -- transportation, accommodation and meals -- are looking for ways to cut back on service extras, including extraneous gratuities.
"In the 25 years I've been traveling, I've always budgeted for tips higher than whatever might be expected because I've wanted to make people who help me happy I've been there," says Glenda Thomases, a retired schoolteacher. "But travel has become so much more costly, I've had to rethink my tipping habit. I can't afford to be as generous as I was. I've sought ways to cut back -- for example, I bought a rolling suitcase I can easily handle myself so I can avoid tipping bellmen. I used to hand out $2 to $3 each time someone carried my bag -- when you're touring and stay in seven or 10 hotels per trip, those little handouts add up to $100 very quickly, and I'd like to be able to use that money in other ways."
But, confesses Thomases, she suffers being glared at by bellmen and is sometimes scored by others on her tour bus because she insists on toting her own baggage. What, she wonders, should she do?
Unfortunately, the answer isn't as easy as pay or not pay. It's up to Thomases to decide what's more important to her: extra cash or "purchased" approval from workers and fellow travelers.
It's common knowledge that the premise behind tipping is that you're entitled to and will get better service if you pay something extra. But, if you don't use service options presented to you, should you have to pay for them? For example, many hotels offer optional concierge or club floors, where you pay extra for a higher level of service -- faster check-in, breakfasts, a private lounge. You avoid the higher cost by opting for regular service. It seems entirely reasonable that you avoid higher tipping by opting out of services you don't want and/or need.
That said, it's a given that in most places, including domestic destinations, tipping fuels local economy. A certain amount is thought fair for bellmen, other hotel personnel, waiters, cab drivers, tour guides and all the other tourism workers you encounter during your trip. But specific amounts, usually calculated in percentages, vary from region to region, and the going rates change frequently. In general, workers are sensitive about tips and may take offense if tippers aren't right on the money,
In Asia and the Pacific, tipping is a particularly sensitive issue. Workers are expected to perform well in their jobs for the wages they receive. In many places -- Japan, for example -- tipping is considered demeaning, and your well-intended handout might be taken as an insult. As a guide to your behavior, observe locals and follow their lead. If you're unsure about what to do, it's best not to tip.
In Europe, many hotels and restaurants do the tipping math for you, adding a service charge to your bill. In most cases, an additional tip is unnecessary, but if no service charge is added to your bill, 10 percent is the expected tip for restaurant service, and the going rate for porters and bellmen is $1 per bag.
In the Middle East and Africa, tipping may be unnecessary. Look to locals for guidance.
In Central and South America, hotels and restaurants usually bill for service. If not, 10 percent is appropriate for restaurant service, and $1 per bag for porters.
Tippers, have discretion: For superior service, up the ante. For poor service, decrease the amount. When opting out of an optional service, you don't have to tip.
========
To find out more about Jennifer Merin and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
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