World travel is an incredible experience but sometimes trying to get a grasp on the differences in culture from country to country can be an overwhelming task. Tipping, while expected in some countries, can be downright offensive to your host in others.

In other countries you’ll find that tipping is appropriate but that the amounts you’re used to are either too high or too low. This quick tutorial is aimed to help you familiarize yourself with tipping traditions in a few of the world’s most traveled destinations.

Tipping in the United States & Canada

Tipping at restaurants in the United States and Canada is an expected practice. In many areas, waitresses and bartenders are paid less than minimum wage and depend on your tips for survival. The standard tip is around 10% for a lunch and anywhere from 15-20% for a dinner – lower for average service and higher for superb service. If you go to a bar the standard tip for the bartender is 15-20% of the total bar tab. If you’re not running a tab you should leave at least $1 per beer, wine, or soda and up to $2 for a mixed beverage.

The Bahamas, Mexico, and the Caribbean

Leaving a tip is standard practice in the Bahamas, Mexico, and the Caribbean but things here can be a bit tricky. In Mexico you should expect to leave a tip averaging around 10% for bar service and up to 15% for restaurant services. The numbers range between 10 and 15% for both bar and restaurant service in the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The trick here is to check your bill before you leave a tip. Restaurants and bars in these tourist-driven economies often add gratuities to the bill in advance. Check with the concierge at your hotel in Mexico, or any country, before you leave if you aren’t sure how to tip in local dining establishments.

South American Tipping Customs

The standard tip, anywhere in South America, averages 10% of your bar or restaurant bill. If you visit a bar you should plan to tip around $1 per drink, regardless of the variety. Tipping standards in Brazil are a bit different. You should tip 10% in a bar and check your bill before tipping in a restaurant. Brazilian restaurants often include gratuities in the bill as well.

Tipping in European Countries

Most servers in Europe are paid a decent wage upon which they can live, so tipping isn’t necessarily expected. You are encouraged, however, to tip at least 5 – 15% if you received good service. Visitors to Scandinavian countries are not encouraged to leave tips at all. If you visit a European bar you should leave the bartender a tip ranging between 5 and 10%.

Tipping in Africa and the Middle East

Tipping practices in Africa and the Middle East are relatively simple. You should tip your server between 10 and 15% and tip your bartender $1 per drink. As with many other tourist destinations, make sure you check your restaurant tab to ensure it doesn’t already include gratuities.

Tipping in Asian Countries

Tipping is not typically expected in most Asian countries. In China you may leave a tip of up to $1.50 to show your appreciation for service but in Japan tipping is not expected at all. In India, on the other hand, you’ll usually find a 10% gratuity included in your bill. It is not customary to leave tips in Asian bars but if you want to show your appreciation to the bartender you can leave some small change behind. Again, traditions vary from country to country, so check with the concierge at your hotel in China or anywhere else in Asia before you go out to dine.

Tipping in Australia and New Zealand

It is not customary to leave tips of any kind in Australia and New Zealand, regardless of whether you have visited a restaurant or bar. Your hosts will not be offended if you do leave a tip, so make sure you reward exemplary service with anywhere between 5 and 10%.

Other Tipping Etiquette Guidelines

In most countries you are not expected to leave tips for the maitre d’ or sommelier. You may want to leave a tip if your host seats you at an exceptional table or if your sommelier spends a great deal of time helping you to select a perfect wine. In these cases, usually only in the United States, you should tip 10% of the cost of the wine or $10 for choice seating.

Some of the world’s finer restaurants offer valet parking and coat check services. The average tip to a valet is anywhere between $2 and $5, though if you expect great service and a well cared for vehicle you may want to leave a nice tip upfront instead of waiting until after you dine. Most people opt to leave $1 per coat for a check service, though $2 is acceptable as well. You don’t need to tip your coat check host in any restaurant in Asia.

Tipping standards vary from country to country and it is important to research local customs before you embark on your journey. Knowing what is expected will help you to treat your foreign hosts with respect and will keep you out of embarrassing public situations!

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