Reflecting to the growth of hotels, restaurants, bars and night clubs, it becomes more and more actual for hospitality industry to stimulate the development of customer service, as the big reason why most customers do not return to an establishment, is because of staff member’s inappropriate attitude or indifference. On the contrary, while receiving excellent service, most customers appreciate it greatly, responding to hospitality service by tipping. A tip is a sum of money tendered to certain service sector workers or a service performed or anticipated that is considered a kind gesture.
Tipping varies among cultures and by service industry and in most countries it is truly appreciated but not expected. In many countries in western Europe a service charge is added to your total bill at restaurants and other service establishments, so check the bill and if service is included, just leave a modest sum of money rounding up the bill; do not forget that the wait staff is paid salary and does not work for tips.
In Paris, France, for example, a 15 per cent charge is added automatically to your bill in cafes and restaurants, so there is no need to leave a large tip, unless you feel exceptional service and can’t resist opening your wallet. If you have a drink or two in cafes and bars in France, you can leave a very small tip (pocket change). For taxi and private shuttle drivers, a 10 per cent tip is the norm, plus a little extra in case the driver performs other duties, such as carries your luggage.
Tipping is not expected in the UK, but is highly appreciated. A tip is normally not added onto a restaurant bill, but in some restaurants the tip is added to a party of 6 or more. British travelers may be renowned as the world’s worst tippers, especially when traveling to a foreign country and as a Tripadvisor survey showed, 60 per cent of Britons did not know how much to tip in foreign countries, compared with the European average of 45 per cent. There is a custom to say ‘…and one for yourself’ if you would like to tip in any restaurant of the United Kingdom.
As to the United States, tipping is not only customary and polite at most restaurants but essentially mandatory. And if you walk out of the restaurant without leaving a tip, do not be surprised if the server follows you and asks what he or she did wrong.
In the Middle East, those who provide services tend to reach out for a tip more often, but it’s customary to tip in smaller amounts. In Dubai, for example, people usually tip 10 per cent of the bill at most restaurants, hotels and bars. The tip is usually divided among everyone, but if you want to be generous to your server, you can add a couple dirhams (equal to about a quarter) to your direct server.
The creative team over at Mint.com has recently come with an awesome and helpful infographic for major travel destinations around the world. So, if you are racking your brain on how much to tip, check this out, being sure to brush up your tipping etiquette around the world.
