Tipping Etiquette Around the World [infographic]

June 20, 2011 |  by  |  Lifestyle, Travel

Growing up I never really understood the tip, it always seemed as though we were just paying twice for someone to do their job. However as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized tipping is a pretty important thing. After all these people are handling your food and other important things you don’t want them messing with/up. As a poor college student tipping sucks, but I do it even if it is just a dollar or two, a tip is a tip right?

Today’s infographic Tipping Etiquette Around the World does a nice job of comparing the way people tip in different countries. Reading through the graphic you will find that North America has some of the highest tip percentages with the U.S.A. and Canada leading the way with 15-20%. Which is quite the heavy fine when compared to China, Japan, and South Korea where there is no tipping, unless you have been given “exceptional or luxurious service.”

Being in the service industry is not all it’s cracked up to be, but the tips sure do help. If you have ever worked in the service industry you have heard the saying “the customer is always right.” Well, this is not true, a large part of the time the customer has no idea what he/she is talking about. Not only are there lots of customers thinking their right when they are not, but there are also that special brand of customer called the dick. The person who just seems better and has to make your life a living hell, but as long as your receiving a fat tip I guess it’s all worth it.[via]

Click to enlarge
Tipping Etiquette Around the World

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...Share This Infographic

Get Free Infographics Delivered to your Inbox

SUBSCRIBE BY RSS


  • C Martin

    In France, locals exceptionally leave tip when dining out. Service charges are always included in price.

  • Matt

    It is not customary to leave a tip in Australia, and certainly not one of 10-15%. Australia’s minimum wage rates are higher than those in the US and working in the service industry is not the poverty line (or below) occupation it is there. People will leave a tip if they feel so inclined (ie: exceptional service) but it is absolutely not expected nor customary. 

  • Matt

    By the way, Tasmania is a state of Australia. It should be blue, along with the mainland.

  • Francish

    You don’t leave a tip in France, it is included anyway so the government can tax it.

    For exceptional service, you can leave a tip, but it is absolutely not expected nor customary. And when you do leave a tip it is a very small tip, usually few cents of euros.

  • Pingback: Tipping Etiquette Around The World (infographic) — TravelBark

  • Pingback: How Much To Tip, By Country | Lifehacker Australia

  • Pingback: Infographic guide to tipping in different countries | Matador Radar

  • Liam

    +1 to Matt’s comments. Tipping is not expected or customary.

  • Fabian

    In Germany paying or tipping in US Dollars is certainly not accepted (perhaps apart from hotels) and even considered rude and will make you look like the “ideal” stupid US tourist.

  • Pingback: Tipping Etiquette Around the World | CURATeABLE

  • LibiD

    1: In Australia tipping isn’t a customary thing. Generally you tip if it the service was good. 
    2: Tasmania is a part of Australia! D:

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jane-Jones/100002013182580 Jane Jones

    Personally I would feel really weird and rude going to Japan, China or South Korea and not leave a tip. Especially when the service is great.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jane-Jones/100002013182580 Jane Jones

     Personally I would feel really weird and rude going to Japan, China or South Korea and not leave a tip. Especially when the service is great. And I always expect that.

  • Pingback: Gay Travel Guides | Pearltrees

  • A.S.

    As someone who works in the service industry in Australia and makes the minimum wage as stipulated by the Australian government in line with cost of living IN AUSTRALIA I rely on tips to pay my transport/phone/electricity/Internet not to mention the rest of life’s luxuries a lot of people take for granted. My wage basically covers rent and food with a little bit every week to put aside for emergencies.
    I do agree that tips are not customary, but they really help. I make anywhere from $15- $200 per week and on those $15 weeks I just have to hope my car doesn’t break down or a family member doesn’t have a birthday!

  • Guest

    Pretty sure Germany and most of Europe don’t have a tippig culture. I’ve never seen a European (that wasn’t French or English) leave a tip in my country, especially Germans. I’ve been a server for 4 years and deal with tourists regularly. 

  • Dag

    Why leave a tip if the job is not well done? I’ll only tip if I feel that they deserve it, I would certainly never tip just for the sake of tipping.

  • Pingback: OTR Links 11/23/2012 « doug – off the record

  • Abz

    In most parts of Europe tipping is welcome but definitely not expected. People usually tip their builders and movers more often than waitresses and bartenders.