Restaurant Tipping Is So Different Internationally — Here’s What To Know

Have you ever found yourself in a mild panic when it’s time to pay your dinner bill on a vacation because you forgot to look up tipping etiquette in that country? You’re definitely not alone. Tipping expectations vary greatly throughout the world, and it can be hard to keep it all straight. Even if you know tipping isn’t standard in a particular region, it can still feel really weird not to leave a tip. Beyond that, in some places, tipping can even be seen as offensive.

It’s important to tip with the currency that’s used in the region you’re visiting. Even if you’re feeling desperate to empty your wallet of U.S. dollars, they’re probably not going to be all that useful to someone who lives in a country that doesn’t use them. “Be sure to tip in the local currency, as in most foreign countries, waiters won’t appreciate having to exchange the U.S. dollars,” said Alonso Marly, a travel agent at Skylux Travel. You’ll also want to follow local norms around whether cash or card tips are preferred. Often, cash is easier.

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