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To tip or not to tip?
That is the question. And it can be a difficult
one to answer too. It's awkward enough at home where you know most of the
etiquette (do you tip the staff in gastro pubs?), but it can be a nightmare
abroad where the culture is often totally different.
Without the room to be exhaustive, this mini-guide should at least help
you avoid a major faux pas...
- Australia: Not
the done thing except in very posh restaurants and even then no more
than 10%.
- Canada:
Somewhere in the 10-20% range is sufficient but you shouldn't feel
obliged.
- France: 15%
service is included by law but an additional 2-3% is customary for very
good service.
- Germany:
Tipping is not the norm in Germany and can even be frowned on if you
overdo it.
- Italy:
Certainly not expected but a token amount is a welcome gesture.
- Japan:
Absolutely not. They're far too polite to show it but the Japanese
regard it as an insult.
- USA: The
opposite of Japan really. It is expected and you'll know all about it if
you don't! (Editor's note: On a trip to LA in 1979 I offered an
airport attendant $1 for moving my luggage aprox. 20 yards to the
check-in desk. He said quite loudly "It's a dollar an item if you don't
mind" I replied "Yes I do mind" - I had 15 items of luggage at the time!)
Article
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