International gratuities data advises travellers on how much they should expect to pay in tips across the globe before jetting off this year.
Research from car rental experts at StressFreeCarRental.com reveals the typical tipping expectations around the world.
Failure to understand and follow country-wide culture norms can put travellers in awkward situations, especially when money is involved.
This makes understanding average tipping percentages that more important, with much of the perceived respect of the area based on the way that a person treats hospitality members of staff.
AUSTRALIA
Gratuities are not expected in Australia, but ten percent or a rounded up bill is always appreciated by wait staff.
BRAZIL
Tips in Brazil should be left in a discreet manner, as Brazilians prefer to be subtle when it comes to the exchange of money. It is customary for Brazilian restaurants to charge diners a ten percent service fee. On top of this, five to ten per cent in cash is always gratefully received by servers.
CHINA
Tipping in mainland China is not expected, in some places it is even frowned upon. However, some high-end restaurants and heavy tourist spots may become accustomed to receiving small tips.
CROATIA
Croatian tipping norms differ depending on the establishment. It is customary for change to be left at bars, three to five percent to be given at casual eating cafes and restaurants and ten to 15 percent at a higher end place.
EGYPT
It is customary for tourists in Egypt to leave between five and ten percent as a cash gratuity to the servers.
FRANCE
French restaurants, bars and cafes will generally include a service charge in the final bill, so a tip is not expected. However, workers will be grateful for a small tip in return for a great experience.
GERMANY
Similar to the gratuity customs in the rest of Europe, there is no strong tipping culture in Germany, however servers and drivers will be grateful for a rounded-up bill or a small tip.
INDIA
Tipping is viewed as completely optional in India and would never be expected, however waiters and waitresses will always be grateful for a small ten percent tip when no service fee is charged.
ITALY
Although tipping isn’t the norm for locals in Italy, it is appreciated for tourists to round up their bill as a thanks to servers. Remember to leave the tip in cash so that it goes straight to the server.
JAPAN
Although it is often perceived as a compliment for staff to receive a tip, workers in Japan will often politely refuse and might even consider the act to be insulting at times. Strict Japanese cultural expectations state that good service should be the norm rather than something to be rewarded.
NETHERLANDS
When good service is received in the Netherlands, locals and tourists will often ask servers to keep the change or they will offer small gratuities, even though Dutch law requires establishments to include tips in their published prices.
SPAIN
Many European countries add a service charge onto bills, including Spain. Because of this, tipping isn’t expected or customary, however, the offer of gratuity would be viewed as a generous display of appreciation.
THAILAND
Tipping is not customary in Thailand, but small gratuities for great service are very appreciated.
UAE
A ten per cent service charge is required at Emirati cities like Dubai, but staff will expect an additional 15 to 20 percent tip to be gifted as a sign of gratuity.
USA
The service industry in the states is renowned for having a very different tipping culture to European countries.
As highlighted continuously in the film and TV industry, tips can often make up a significant share of the salary of a service industry employee.
Because of this, it is expected that both locals and tourists offer a tip of 15 to 20 percent of the final bill to wait staff, taxi drivers, porters, tour guides and others offering a service.
