How Tipping Culture Varies Around the World
- - How Tipping Culture Varies Around the World
Owen ChaseJanuary 8, 2026 at 5:56 PM
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Tipping customs change because the systems behind them change. In most places, it’s shaped by wages, laws, or long-standing customs that don’t translate cleanly across borders. Here are 10 examples that show how tipping works for different countries around the world, depending on local wages, laws, and social expectations.
United States
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Tipping in the U.S. is tied directly to how service jobs are paid. Many restaurant servers earn a base wage far below the standard minimum, with tips expected to make up the difference. An 18 to 25 percent gratuity functions as a core part of income rather than an optional extra, especially in dining and delivery work.
Japan
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In Japan, service quality is treated as a professional standard rather than something earned through extra payment. Leaving cash can feel uncomfortable or even insulting. Outside of rare cases at traditional inns, tipping isn’t part of daily transactions. Courtesy is shown through behavior, and staff generally expect nothing beyond the bill.
France
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In France, the bill already reflects the full dining experience. Service moves at its own pace, and no one expects a reward at the end for doing their job well. If someone leaves a few extra euros after a long meal, it’s casual and never treated as a requirement.
Germany
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German tipping happens during payment, not after. When the server brings the bill, diners usually say the total they want to pay, rounding up slightly. That spoken amount includes the tip. Leaving money on the table is uncommon, since the interaction is meant to finish cleanly at the register.
Australia
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Most people in Australia pay the bill and leave it at that. Tipping is often seen in tourist-heavy areas or after receiving unusually good service, but it isn’t a standard part of everyday dining. Staff don’t wait for it, and customers aren’t expected to explain themselves if they skip it.
China
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In everyday settings across China, tipping is still uncommon, as restaurants and taxis typically expect exact payment and return change with care. The pattern changes in large hotels and guided tours, especially in major cities, where staff may accept small tips for extra assistance.
Mexico
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Tipping in Mexico reflects the degree to which an area relies on tourism. In cities and resort towns, restaurant servers typically receive 10 to 15 percent of the bill, while hotel staff and bartenders often rely on daily tips. In smaller cities, expectations drop. Service charges sometimes appear on bills, so a quick check avoids double tipping.
United Arab Emirates
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The UAE’s tipping customs reflect its multinational workforce, as many service workers come from countries where tips supplement income, even when service charges are included on receipts. In restaurants, diners often add a modest amount for good service. Hotel staff and drivers also accept tips, typically given in cash rather than added digitally.
Denmark
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Tipping in Denmark is rarely a factor in everyday interactions. Restaurant prices already reflect the full cost of service, so most people pay exactly what appears on the bill. Staff do not anticipate anything extra, and customers don’t pause to evaluate service afterward.
Egypt
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Tipping in Egypt is often done through baksheesh, a long-standing custom tied to everyday help rather than formal service alone. Small amounts are given to drivers, hotel staff, attendants, and others who assist along the way.
Source: “AOL Money”
