Tipping Around the World

In Japan, you usually do not leave extra money for the staff after a meal. In many other countries, people often give extra money called a tip. How much you tip can be very different from country to country.

In the United States, tipping is a big part of eating out. At a sit-down restaurant, people usually tip about fifteen to twenty percent of the bill. Many servers get low pay per hour, so tips are very important to them. People also often tip taxi drivers and hair stylists.

In the United Kingdom, some restaurants add a service charge to the bill. It is extra money for the staff, often about twelve and a half percent. If you see it on the bill, you usually do not need to tip again. In France and Germany, many people simply round up the bill. For example, they pay ten euros when the bill is nine euros fifty.

Tipping customs can change, and they can be different in each city or shop. Before your trip, check a travel guide or ask the hotel staff. When friends from abroad visit Japan, you can tell them that tips are usually not expected.