International Harbors

Tipping

From Experience and excerpts from Forbes Magazine
September-October 2007

"Gratuity etiquette perplexes even the most experienced travelers," says Misty Ewing, director of public relations at Virtuoso, a luxury travel network with travel consultants and ground operators in more than 70 countries. Too much or too little can offend."

Of course, if you skimp on tipping at any restaurant in the United States or to a concierge who has helped fulfill multiple requests, you probably won't be welcome again.

"In most places around the world, it's better to give something than nothing--so if you're ever in doubt, tip," says Erica Duecy, editor of restaurants and hotels at Fodor's travel publications. Japan is a notable exception, as mentioned below.

General guidelines . . .

EUROPE
In most countries in Europe, a service charge is included in a meal, but it is customary to add another 5% to 10% for gratuity, especially in high-end restaurants or if the service was particularly good. If no service charge is included, add 15% to the total bill.

For taxis, 10% is the right amount to tip, and for hotel porters, give the equivalent of $2 per bag. Experts agree that when it comes to the concierge at your hotel anywhere in the world, you don't need to tip for advice such as what sights to see; but you should always acknowledge service. In Europe, $2 is enough for each simple request the concierge fulfills, such as arranging airport pickup or making restaurant reservations. If your concierge is performing special tasks, such as arranging an after-hours tour of the Louvre, it's appropriate to tip $30 or more, depending on the difficulty of your request.

ASIA
Asia has slightly different tipping customs for each country. As noted above, in Japan, tipping is an insult in any situation as it is considered a flagrant display of wealth; but in China, giving 3% is expected at restaurants, while in Hong Kong, 10% to 15% is the norm if the gratuity isn't included in the bill. For taxis, you don't need to tip in China, but in Hong Kong, you should round the fare up to the next dollar amount. In both China and Hong Kong, you should give hotel porters $2 to $3 per bag, especially at luxury properties, while $3 to $5 is a good amount for basic requests you ask of the concierge. Incrementally increase this amount based on the complexity of your request.

THAILAND (Specifically)
I "over-tipped" in Thailand a few years ago — by intent. My mission became to single-handedly ruin the cheap tipping practices in that quite poor country. Thais are wonderful and gentle people, go out of their way to assist, and deserve more than the dollar (and sometimes less) that people hand them! Instead of the $1-$2 per day I was advised to give to a Tuk Tuk driver, I gave him $10 at the end of the first day in addition to a day-fee we had previously negotiated. He was then was there for us whenever we stepped off a river boat. I like (prefer) such service, so we upped the tip to $15$20 per day. It was well worth it. Those dollars might make a difference in his life, it was a modest dent in ours, and it made us feel special and safer as he guided us around that crowded city with ease and in English.

AFRICA
Tipping in Africa is a grey area. It's tied to the notion of a gift, which roughly translates into the idea of noblesse oblige, with wealthier citizens obligated to those less well off. Since most westerners appear to be rich, a tip is not out of order in most instances. A standard 10% is a reasonable tip. Check the bills in restaurants to ensure that a 10% service charge has not already been added on.

UNITED STATES
While it's standard to tip 15% at restaurants, if you're dining at an upscale spot, at least 20% is expected. We always tip 10-15% for taxis. Upon checking into a hotel, the porter generally receives $1 for each of your bags — unless it's something like the Four Seasons or the Ritz-Carlton, when $2 to $5 per bag is more appropriate. Give on the higher end for especially heavy bags. Hotel concierge services receive $3 to $5 for a basic service, such as arranging airport transportation. If the concierge fulfills a more difficult request, like getting you a last-minute 8 p.m. table at a restaurant that is typically booked weeks in advance, it's not uncommon to shell out $20 and up.

CRUISE SHIPS
The Princess fleet adds in gratuties for meals, beverages, and your room, all of which is clearly noted on documents you receive prior to travel. However, when excellent service is received, it is customary to give an additional amount at the end of the cruise. My daughter caught a cold on our cruise, the staff noted it, and before even being asked delivered hot tea, honey and lemon to our table prior to each evening's meal. The Star Princess carries thousands of passengers: This was surprising and much-needed attention. The gratuity added by the ship for meal service at the time of our sailing was 15%. We added another 5% per dinner for each of the staff that served us each evening. We also took the time to fill out an "exceptional service" form for each of these people, and for the guides that were so helpful during our land tours.

LAND TOURS
Our tips are based on how good the guide was. During our last trip, we were impressed with the breadth of knowledge of a few of the guides, more than one of whom had multiple degrees such as art history, archeaology, and economics, and they spoke English fluently and clearly (which we shouldn't expect, but I am unable to learn languages -- tone deaf, or something). My daughter insists on non-political commentary unless it is appropriate. And we both appreciate good humor. Only one guide went tipless as minimal information was imparted and I could not understand a word she said anyway.

Other than that, we tip $5-$10 for half-day excursions and $10-$15 for a full day. Our erudite guide in Turkey received $20. He was elegant, and has a deep love and knowledge of his country. We know of one person who has given as much as $40 on a tour where the guide and the driver were both incredibly helpful. And I tipped a bus driver in Santorini, Greece $10 for himself as he had a strong and willing hand to help me off and on the bus at each stop.

During a week-long whirlwind tour of Costa Rica some years back, six of us collectively tipped the driver more than $400 for his exceptional, always-on-call, long-hours of service.