More and more, tipping has become the norm for many establishments all over the world. Navigating tipping culture can be difficult, especially if you’re traveling or living abroad.
At Remitly, we’re here to guide you through the norms and standards and provide some simple tip advice. Countries have their own rules around tipping, and knowing when and how much to tip can keep money in your pocket and prevent awkward situations. Learn more about tipping guidelines and etiquette below.
Gratuity vs. tip: what’s the difference?
A tip is a voluntary amount of money customarily paid on top of the initial service price. This is typically common in the service sector, particularly hospitality work, including restaurants and bars. Tips go directly to employees.
“Gratuity” is often used interchangeably with “tip.” So, is gratuity a tip? Yes, in nearly all cases, the two generally refer to the same thing. However, some establishments will automatically add a “gratuity” when serving larger groups. This form of gratuity is not voluntary and usually consists of a percentage of the total.
How much to tip at a restaurant
Restaurants are the most common situation where you’ll run into tipping. It was initially a show of appreciation for good service or a means of getting rid of some extra change, but tipping is now an expected norm that is folded into the restaurant workers’ wages.
The minimum tip at a restaurant in the U.S. is 15 percent of the total. About 20 percent of the total is a standard tip; anything more depends on you and how well the person served you. For incredible service, 25 percent and up is the way to go.
It’s worth noting that not all restaurants expect tipping. If it’s a sit-down situation, you are expected to tip. However, most fast food chains do not require tipping. For example, you do not have to leave a tip when ordering at McDonald’s.
How much to tip food delivery drivers
Food delivery has become a ubiquitous part of life since the COVID-19 pandemic and the growth of the gig economy. Do you tip for takeout? This is also where things can get tricky. For online delivery systems, it’s normal to tip the customary 15 percent for delivery drivers.
Some restaurants with their own in-house delivery drivers may split the total tip jar at the end of the night to all workers, including delivery personnel. Even in this case, giving the delivery driver a couple of extra dollars is standard.
How much to tip at a coffee shop
Coffee shops run on the same general rule as any other eatery. At least 15 percent is standard, and $1 per coffee drink is fine and easy for everyone involved. If you’re paying with cash, it’s acceptable to tip with the change you receive.
How much to tip a bartender
An easy rule of thumb for the bar is to tip $1 for every cup or glass. For example, if you get one beer, that’s $1. If you order a shot with that beer, that would be $2.
If you are racking up a tab, you can use that as a simple way to figure out your tip or use the standard 15 percent.
How much to tip a driver
It’s customary to tip taxi cab drivers and modern rideshare drivers. While this used to be a “keep the change” situation, it now follows similar rules to dining. About 10 to 20 percent of the fare is standard. For airport shuttles that carry multiple passengers, $2 to $3 per person is acceptable.
Most apps will calculate your tip for you, but keep some cash on hand when you take a taxi, shuttle, or limousine so that you can tip adequately.
How much to tip at a hotel
Unlike other hospitality establishments, hotels offer multiple services beyond room and board. If someone does something for you at a hotel, expect to pay a tip.
- Hotel porter service (carrying your bags to and from your room) – $2 per bag
- Room service – 15 to 20 percent of the price of the meal
- Towel delivery – $3 to $5
- Hotel concierge – $5 and up, depending on the request
Even if you don’t partake in any of the above services, all hotel rooms are served by housekeeping. While some people leave a larger tip at the end of a multi-day stay, it’s better to tip every day that you allow housekeeping to serve your room as the staff is on a rotating schedule.
The exact amount you tip for housekeeping is mostly based on how many people stay in the room. For smaller groups, $1 per person per day is fine. For example, if two people stay in the room, you would tip $2 daily. For six or more people, consider at least $10 per day.
These tip suggestions go up by at least double for luxury hotels.
How much to tip a barber, nail technician, and other aestheticians
Tipping hair stylists, barbers, nail technicians, and others who work on your appearance is customary. While there is no set rule, tipping about 15 to 20 percent is standard for good service.
When not to tip
As common as tipping has become, you don’t need to tip everyone who does something for you. Generally, if they are professionals or people who are paid an annual salary, they do not need to be tipped. You do not need to tip teachers, doctors, or electricians.
You generally don’t need to tip in situations involving free food, including open bars or catered events. A bartender may have a tip jar out, and you can provide a dollar if you have one. However, tips and gratuities are usually already included in the catering bill paid by the host.
You do not have to tip extra if the restaurant already adds gratuity to your bill.
When to tip more
Most of the time, a tip of 20 percent is already pretty great, but when is it okay to tip more than that?
That ultimately comes down to you, your budget, and the service that you receive. If you get genuinely outstanding service where a worker goes well out of their way to do something for you, it’s okay to tip a little extra for their efforts.
For example, if a hotel concierge calls their contacts and gets you floor seats at the basketball game at a heavy discount, it’s worth tipping a little extra to show your appreciation.
Countries where tipping is not customary
While tipping culture is predominant in the United States and Canada, there are many cultures where tipping is not customary. In fact, in some countries, leaving a tip is frowned upon or even considered insulting. Some countries that do not require tipping include:
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Denmark
- Spain
- Brazil
- Belgium
- Switzerland
- Estonia
- French Polynesia
Tipping is generally considered offensive throughout all East Asian countries, including China, Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan.
Tipping has become a part of wages among many service workers. It never hurts to ask if you’re truly unsure whether to tip or how much. At Remitly, we can ensure you always have the right amount of money for your tipping and travel budget. You can efficiently send money to a bank account or mobile wallet through our quick and efficient money transfer platform. Multiple levels of security keep your transfers safe so you can focus on calculating tipping percentages.