A few days ago, at Magnet we analyzed the cultural differences in the world when it comes to tipping as a result of a viral post in which an American waitress complained that a bar where a group of Spanish customers work left a $70 tip for a $700 bill. She used the following words: “We have to ban Europeans from traveling until they know how to behave.”
In our country, Isabel Díaz Ayuso recently also called in a promotional video to “leave a tip again” in bars in the capital because she said that this is what allows professionals in the sector to fulfill their “little dreams”. Something highly criticized in networks by those who consider that waiters should not live on charity.
Although the reality is very different in other countries. As we have previously commented, tipping is one of the customs more controversial and different among world civilizations. In America, tipping has become the norm, as it makes up a large part of a waiter’s salary. In Spain it is totally altruistic. The difference is that in one place the tip is to leave “loose” and in another “the standard way” to pay.
A study by Comparethemarket actually suggests that one in five tourists surveyed believe that confusion around tipping had a negative impact on their stay abroad. In Asia, for example, it is a very frowned upon practice. In Japan they have a word, omotenashiwhich means giving the best care for nothing.
Today we revisit the tipping debate with several charts published on Visual Capitalist and produced by Hawaiian Islands, which has studied tipping trends in 162 countries, analyzing TripAdvisor’s etiquette guides for each country, and consulting professionals from different industries about tips. standards in your day to day. After their research, they have made several maps of the world that illustrate what is the standard to pay in each country.
In the restaurants
In more than a third of the countries, giving a 10% tip to restaurant staff is the most normal, up to 66 countries, among which are many Europeans such as France, Portugal or Austria, contemplate this idea. While other countries like Serbia, Armenia and Canada have a range of tips that reaches a maximum of 20%. The US is the only country in the analysis where a 20% tip is the minimum that sets the standard.
While tipping was once illegal in six states across the country, it is now vital to everyday life in America, with even a federal law dictating that bosses can pay staff $2.13 an hour if they earn at least $30 per month extra in tips. That means that these financial aids represent more than half of a worker’s income.
On the other hand, tipping in a restaurant is an insult in Japan, China or South Korea, where they are already included in wages. Others, like India, have legally banned it.
in the accommodation
Research suggests that the correct amount to tip a porter or hotel porter if they have to carry your bags is around €2 in 37 countries. In the US it goes up a bit, around 5 euros. In Latin America the norm is usually one euro maximum. And in some African countries like Botswana, Ethiopia and Algeria, a tip of around 50 cents is enough.
In 32 countries it is not necessary to tip hotel staff. Most of these are located in Asia, where as we have already said, they are not a custom. One of the few places where a tip can be accepted in Japan is at a ryokan (a traditional inn), where you can respectfully hand some cash to the staff in an envelope.
In the transport
The study also reveals that in 88 countries it is not necessary to give a driver extra money on top of the fare set by the taxi. In most cases, rounding the figure is a good way to give the worker a handout. The most commonly tipped is 10% in 21 countries, including Canada, France and Spain. In the US, where the average hourly wage for a taxi driver is $14.45, TripAdvisor suggests adding 15% to the fare.
In this interactive graph you can consult the study data in list form and filter by country and service.
Graphics and Maps: Hawaiian Islands
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