Should you tip when travelling? And if so, how much, to which professional groups and who decides what the rules are? This is not a tipping guide, but we thought we'd spend this Wednesday reflecting on the subject of tipping while travelling.
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Tipping while travelling - a loaded topic
Tipping while travelling is not always easy. In many countries, staff are expected to tip a little, but how much and to which professions can vary. In some countries and professions, tipping is almost essential for staff to receive a decent salary. In other countries, tipping is more voluntary, and is only given when you are particularly happy and want to show some extra appreciation.
Of course, when visiting a new culture, it is difficult to know exactly what is expected, so the best thing to do is to read up on tipping in the country you plan to visit. But even if you do your research, tipping continues to be a loaded topic ...
When you need to quickly enter a percentage on a card reader ...
In countries such as Sweden, where cash is hardly used anymore, tips in restaurants can often be paid by entering a higher amount on the card reader. Tips paid in this way end up in the employer's coffers and are then paid to the staff, who in turn have to pay tax on the income.
A recent phenomenon is that there are often pre-selected options with different percentages visible at the top of the card reader window, while you have to scroll down quite a bit to get to the "no tip" option. Suddenly you find yourself paying a high tip for an already expensive and quickly served beer, just because the highest percentage option is at the top, because you don't want to look cheap or because you don't dare ask how to find the "no tip" option...
Of course, it's nice to show staff appreciation by tipping - and the tipping system may also make staff go the extra mile. At the same time, it can feel loaded at times, and it can be challenging to make a quick decision that makes everyone - the staff, your friends and yourself - feel good.
When you don't know what to expect ... and when you want to give a little extra ...
Abroad, the hardest part can be knowing in which situations to tip. Does the guide expect a tip? The driver? The taxi driver? Here in South Africa we have learned, for example, that in some car parks there are 'parking assistants' who help you park and check your car while you are away, and who would like to be paid for their services.
It always helps to read up on the destination and to have a little money in your pocket, but there are always situations where you feel insecure. Somehow you want to do the "right thing" (give just the right amount in the right situations) and make others feel appreciated, while at the same time, of course, you may need to keep your holiday budget in check. Is that why it sometimes feels so tricky?
Tipping while travelling can be a good way to make a small contribution to the everyday economy of ordinary people. As a tourist, you want to make a positive contribution to the local economy, but sometimes it's easy for all your money to end up in the coffers of the big companies, via international hotel and retail chains. When you tip restaurant staff, hotel staff and taxi drivers, you often make a small contribution, which can feel good.
Sometimes you may also want to give a little extra to a few people who have done a good job, and who may also be assumed to have a great need for that extra little contribution. You can't give extra to everyone all the time, but you can actually do it sometimes. We have even regretted sometimes that we did not give a little more ...
How do you think about tipping while travelling?
How do you think about tipping when travelling? Do you find it tricky sometimes? How do you give the right amount in the right context? Do you ever give a little extra to someone?
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Anna Nilsson Spets says:
That's a tricky one... In a bar or restaurant in Europe, no, maybe I round off to the nearest euro. On my travels in Africa, yes. Before I check out of my accommodation, I usually leave small change or a couple of banknotes with the cleaning lady. If I have clothes and shoes I don't need to take home, I leave them behind. During my travels in Africa I have often used local guides and drivers, they often expect extra money, I have then given an extra contribution but not always as high as expected.
06 March 2024 - 6:38
Helena says:
Sure, it can be a bit tricky! Even when you are an experienced traveller...! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We've also left some things here that we couldn't take with us when we switched from driving to flying, including some food...
07 March 2024 - 7:00
Travelsis says:
I find this tipping difficult, despite many trips, as I should get used to it. The last time we were on Zanzibar, everyone should have a tip, regardless of the driver / guide, someone who showed us which way to go, staff at restaurants and hotels. Giving I think feels ok, but then when they show that they think, for example, a dollar is too little when they have pointed in which direction we should go, it becomes a bit hard / boring / uncomfortable. Sometimes we give extra when we think someone has done something extra or like now in Zanzibar when we see and understand that they don't have much money./ Pernilla
06 March 2024 - 7:05
Helena says:
Same here. Even though we are experienced travellers, we can find it a bit tricky sometimes. It's sad what you describe when someone "wants more", then it's more like begging than tipping ...
07 March 2024 - 7:02
bmlarstravellingblog says:
We also find tipping difficult and have probably become more restrictive with it, at least here at home. If we are in countries where we know that wages are low, we try to give the tip directly to the hotel maid or waiter and not to the restaurant owner, who is often the one who collects the payment because unfortunately it is easy for the tip to end up with those who may not need it.
06 March 2024 - 9:49
Helena says:
I agree that it feels much more important in countries where wages are low. In Sweden we do give tips sometimes, but it should be good service for a whole dinner or so, not for serving a beer 😉.
07 March 2024 - 7:03
Lena in Wales and a bit everywhere says:
I think it is very important to tip!!!!
I never pay by card, but make sure I have real money and change with me in the local currency. Otherwise it's easy for the staff to be cheated out of them.
In many countries, wages are set with tips in mind. For example, in Spain with regard to drivers and during a journey for which you have paid 1000s of kronor, how much is it to give a few extra euros? If we can afford the expensive trip, I think most people can afford a little tip as well. Likewise for hotel staff, waiters and cleaners, tip! Compared to many of these, we are considered rich, who can afford to go there at all. Especially after the covid that hit many countries hard.
I tip taxi drivers and waiters in Sweden as well, it feels natural to me.
Take care!
06 March 2024 - 10:00
Helena says:
Thank you for your thoughts and reflections Lena! Yes, many times it can be more convenient to tip in cash, at least abroad. Here in South Africa we have often tipped in cash, but now, in Cape Town, the restaurants like to have the tip on the card reader ...
07 March 2024 - 7:06
Ditte says:
Depends a lot on- In the US, I think it's really sad that everyone has to have a tip. And a lot. In Spain and other countries in southern Europe, we sometimes pay restaurants by card but often add a few euros in cash. We also do this in bars where we are regulars and usually get extra good service.
In hotels, if we stay a few nights, we also often leave an envelope for the maid who looks after us. But I don't like tipping from time to time.
Good that you raised the issue
Stay well
06 March 2024 - 12:13
Helena says:
Well, it depends! And that's why it's good to read up on each specific country... But still a bit tricky! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
07 March 2024 - 7:07
emollient says:
I think tipping is very difficult and hard. To whom, how much and when should you tip? We are going to South Africa this summer and will of course tip our safari guide (do you give a little every day or all on the last day?). How much should we then give to the maid, the driver who drives us, the restaurants? Because it is obvious that we want to support those who are worse off, at the same time it must be reasonable. You are welcome to write a guide about tipping in South Africa 🙂 .
06 March 2024 - 16:52
Helena says:
How nice that you are travelling to South Africa!!! This is a country with big differences. It can be good to have cash in smaller denominations that you can give when needed. When we have had guides in other countries, we have often given the last day, but it may be different. In restaurants, we often round up to something that feels reasonable.
07 March 2024 - 7:13
BP says:
Well, in the US, two-thirds of a waitress' salary is a tip, so of course I tip.
In Sweden it is difficult, almost impossible to give tips nowadays, just as you write. And if the money goes to the boss and not to the staff, it's completely wrong. It is the staff you want to thank. Giving "real" money to the hairdresser or waitress falls directly, as you don't have cash anymore.
In Spain it is easy to round up and almost always pay in cash, even today.
06 March 2024 - 18:58
Helena says:
I think the tip in Sweden goes to the staff, but if you pay by card reader, it goes through the employer's cashier, who then pays it to the staff, and they in turn tax the money. And I agree, we don't usually have cash in Sweden either ... Abroad, however, we usually have some cash on us.
07 March 2024 - 7:15
Lena - good for the soul says:
Yes, I find that hard and difficult. Even here in Sweden. It is difficult to try to get information before travelling too. Before our trip to Tanzania, we saw information about tips in a couple of places. It differed quite a lot in what they recommended. And it was also not clear what time span they were talking about. To the hotel staff x money (yes, the same amount if you stay one night or two weeks then or?) and to the safari driver x money (yes, the same amount if you are on a one-day safari, five days or two weeks then or), the same amount if you are travelling alone, in a couple or family? And so on. Difficult!
And of course, if someone were to ask a number of Swedes how much they "should" give in Sweden, they would probably get just as many answers.
Good reflection!
Hug Lena
07 March 2024 - 20:03