Should you always tip?
Hannah Gold, 5th November 2018, Household
It's always the most puzzling question when you're away on your travels around the world, to tip or not to tip? Continue reading to find out what countries are for and against it.
Switzerland
The Swiss have one of the highest minimum wages than most other countries, in fact professions in hospitality can get paid thousands a month! Therefore, they are not solely reliant on tips. However, it is more common than not for bills to be rounded up, and there is expectation for tips to be left.
Italy
Tips are always welcomed by the Italians, but if you have come from a country that tips heavily, you may have to reign it in a little bit. According to the article 7 Essential Rules for Tipping in Italy, leaving 18-25% would be considered far too much, and you may get some raised eyebrows.
"The tax is built into the relevant prices that you see advertised" Natalie, the author, continues that "if something costs €25, then you will pay exactly €25 for it. The 22% VAT is already hidden inside." Therefore, you are not expected to pay on top of that, but tips will never be rejected. The short of it is "tip as much as you like, but not too much, or too little."
China
The BBC article How does the world tip? reports that much like other Asian countries, "China has a largely no-tipping culture - for decades it was actually prohibited and considered a bribe." It still now remains very uncommon, and can come across as rude.
The BBC also reports that the only time tipping would be welcomed is at a restaurant or hotel that is frequented by holiday makers, and again leaving gratuities for tour guides and tour bus drivers.
France
A law was passed in France in 1955 where restaurants were allowed to add a service charge, this then became common practice around Europe as well as other countries around the world. This was an attempt to improve the income for waiters/waitress' to make them less reliant on tips.
Tipping has remained customary, despite the evidence showing the younger generation of France tend not to tip. In 2014 a study showed 15% of French customers said they "would not tip", this is a figure that has doubled over the past year.
Egypt
Tipping in Egypt is ingrained into the countries culture, Gratuity within the country is known as "Baksheesh", The wealthier Egyptians regularly tip all service workers, from Hospitality staff to petrol pump attendants.
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