Tipping Overseas

Tips on Tipping Around the World:
How Much to Reward Good Service By Christina Breda Antoniades
If you've ever struggled to calculate 17 percent of 63 euros while dining at a French bistro, or to quickly decide how many Mexican pesos to tip your cabby in Cancun while other cars behind you impatiently honk their horns, you know that tipping can be tricky.
Aside from the matter of mental math, there's the question of what's expected of you. Tipping customs vary around the world -- failing to tip in the United States will get you a withering stare or worse, while in Germany over-tipping may be considered just as rude as walking away without leaving any gratuity.
The important thing is to know local customs. So we've put together a quick tipping guide to 13 popular destinations.

Australia
Keep your change! Except at upscale restaurants -- where a 10 percent tip is common -- tipping is not customary. Taxi drivers, hairdressers and porters do not expect tips.

Bahamas
With the exception of all-inclusive resorts, a tip of 15 percent is the norm at restaurants and bars. Be aware, many hotels and restaurants may automatically add a 15 percent service charge to your bill. Taxi drivers are usually tipped 15 percent, and porters generally receive $1 per bag.

Brazil
Restaurants will typically add a 10 percent service charge to your bill, in which case it is customary to leave an additional 5 percent for good service. If no service charge is added, you should leave 15 percent for good service. Taxi drivers generally don't receive tips, except in Rio, where a 10 percent tip is the norm. Porters are usually tipped about 2 reals per bag

Britain
For the most part, service charges aren't included in restaurant or hotel bills, and a tip of 12 to 15 percent is expected for good service. In pubs and bars, tips aren't expected, although it's not uncommon for patrons to offer to "buy a drink" for a good bartender. For practical reasons, it is acceptable for the bartender to accept the offer in cash. For housekeepers, small change -- up to 1 pound per day -- is reasonable. Taxi drivers are generally tipped 10 percent, depending on the distance.

Canada
For restaurant staff and taxi drivers, a 15 percent tip is the norm. Porters and bellhops generally receive $1 Canadian per piece of luggage.

France
Almost all restaurants will add a 15 percent service charge to the bill. It is customary to leave an additional 2 to 3 percent -- or any remaining small change -- for good service. If the service charge is not included in the bill, a 15 percent tip is the norm. Porters and bellhops are generally tipped 1.5 euro per bag. Taxi drivers are usually tipped 10 to 15 percent of the fare. Tour guides and bus drivers receive 1.5 to 3 euro.

Germany
Tipping is not a traditional German custom, and over-tipping is supposedly frowned upon, although we doubt anyone would refuse to take your money. Most hotel and restaurant bills include a service charge, and it is now customary to tip up to an additional 10 percent of the total bill if you receive good service. Taxi drivers are tipped 10 percent of the fare.

Greece
Restaurant bills usually include a service charge of 15 to 20 percent, in addition to a "cover charge" for use of the table. It is customary to leave the change from your bill also (some on the plate for your waiter and some on the table for the busboy). For taxi drivers, round the fare up to the nearest .15 to .30 euro.

Hong Kong
Most restaurants and hotels will add a 10 percent service charge to your bill, but even then it's customary to leave an additional 5 percent for good service. If a service charge is not included, a tip of at least 10 percent is expected. Bellhops, porters and attendants are usually tipped with small change.

Italy
In major cities, restaurant bills usually include a 10 to 15 percent service charge. If not, a tip of 10 to 15 percent is appropriate for good service. In smaller cities and towns, services charges generally aren't included and it is customary to tip smaller amounts. Hotels will usually add a 15 to 20 percent service charge to your bill. Chambermaids are usually tipped .50 euro per day, and bellhops or porters are tipped 1.5 to 2.6 euro for carrying your bags to your room. Taxi drivers are tipped at least 15 percent of the fare.

Japan
Tipping is not customary in Japan, and most service-industry employees do not expect tips. However, restaurants and hotels will usually add a 10 to 20 percent service charge to your bill. Taxi drivers are typically given a small tip, especially if they carry your bags or offer useful information.

Mexico
Except in resorts, most restaurant bills do not include a service charge. A 10 to 15 percent tip is customary. Porters and bellhops are generally tipped 9 to 10 pesos, while taxi drivers receive 5 to 10 pesos.

United States
Restaurant bills usually don't include service charges, although some establishments may include them for large parties -- usually six people or more. For good service, it is customary to tip 15 to 20 percent. Bellhops and porters usually receive $1 to $2 per bag -- more if your bags are heavy. Taxi drivers are tipped 10 to 15 percent of the fare.