When you are somewhere abroad and you sit in a cafe or restaurant, you are probably in a dilemma should you leave a tip, and how much should that tip be. Read the “rules” for leaving tips in some worldly cities.
London
If you have just filled your stomach in some London restaurant, you should leave a tip that is somewhere around 10% or 15% of the total amount of the bill you received. Still, before you leave money, carefully check your bill because some restaurants and cafes automatically add 12,5 percent on the bill. So, they will calculate your tip by themselves.
Considering fast food restaurants or those where you order something “to go”, as well as pubs, it is not common to leave tips. Etiquette states that you should leave a tip for the cab driver for about 10 to 15 percent of the cost of the drive.
Barcelona
After you have enjoyed in Barcelona tasting one of their national meals, you should add 7 to 13 percent to the total bill. But, if you are not satisfied with the service, food or drinks, you can fell free to not give them tips and in that way show your dissatisfaction. Giving tips in Spain is considered a reward for good services, and not a obligation.
On the other hand, when it comes to cab rides, it is common to leave 50 cents as a tip, no matter how long the journey was.
Paris
You are sitting in a cafe in Paris, drinking wine and looking at the Seine, but when you get the bill, you are not so happy. The amazed faces of tourists when they get their bill in Paris restaurants and cafes are common, but these are the “rules”. With the bill you have an already determined amount of 15% as a tip, and in some restaurants the tip is included in the price you see on the menu.
Of course, no one from the staff would mind if you give them a few extra dollars. The tip for cab drivers is usually 5 to 10 percent from the total amount.
Sydney
If you are traveling to Sydney, you just have to remember the number 10. It doesn’t matter if you are in a cab or in a restaurant having dinner, the common tip is 10% from the total bill.
If you decide to enjoy in a beef goulash or some other specialty in Prague, it will be useful to know that the tip is most often included in the price. If it isn’t, the tip that is gives is mostly 10% from the total amount, and you should give about 70 cents to taxi drivers.
Rome
For giving tips in Rome there are no determined “rules”, which makes tourists a bit uncomfortable sometimes. Still, to make it easier for yourself, guide yourself by leaving a tip of 10% percent from the total amount of the bill, but don’t give more than 10%. Also, if you see the words “servizio incluso”, have in mind that the tip is already included in the price. Considering cab drivers, it is enough to add a small amount.
Rio de Janeiro
Maybe the celebration of the carnival in Rio de Janeiro is everything but discreet, but the practice of giving tips is. So, you don’t have to leave any extra tips, because the 10% tips is most commonly included in the price. It is common to give taxi drivers tips by adding a small amount to the bill. Find more info that you might need for your trip in Brazil and Rio de Janeiro.
Bangkok
When you are enjoying in Bangkok in a restaurant or cafe, you don’t have to stress yourself with giving tips, because it is not very common there. Of course, if you want to leave something extra, you are allowed to.
Istanbul
If you are in a restaurant in Istanbul, you should pay with lira and not with Euros, that is very important. Mainly, it is adequate if you leave a tip of 5 to 10 percent of the total amount of the bill. When it comes to cab drivers, it is mostly desirable to add a hundred of a lire as a tip.
Cape Town
Generally speaking, in Africa generosity is really appreciated. In Cape Town, for example, it is common to leave an extra 10 to 15 percent, and sometimes it is already included in the price. A common tip to cab drivers is around an extra 10%. When you are traveling from an airport in Cape Town , you will probably be overrun by people offering to carry your bags. If you agree to this service, the tips are between 1,5 and 2 Euros.
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By Milan Budimkic
Milan Budimkic is a creative freelance writer for industries that include but are not limited to the health, travel, home decor, sport, and much more. When not blogging, he likes to travel, read a lot, or hanging out on Twitter (@mbseoservice).