As people travel around the world, even the least self aware have some concern for how the locals judge them. In my experience there is no more obvious instance than tipping or gratuities. I have sometimes worried about ‘what is right’, and have been asked in hushed tones by outwardly brusque and confident tourists ‘what shall I leave?’.
Here is the simple and great news. The vast majority of the workers in service industries worldwide do not expect anything in excess of the stated price. Whole regions have a professional workforce, many trained at colleges, who are proud of their profession and satisfied with their wages. A tow truck driver in Italy was visibly horrified when I tried to gift him money after he saved me.
The singular and angry exception is the US, where tips are considered mandatory, and I have been confronted by ‘servers’ who considered the gratuity (freely given) to be too modest. In some of the more international tourist destinations in the US restaurants are adding significant fees to the bill (in my understanding contrary to law), and I respectfully suggest that these places should be avoided.
To be absolutely clear: noone outside the US will ever indicate dissatisfation, and we may all sleep soundly.
In what I consider to be quite charming, in Australia and New Zealand, a clear sign is posted on some holidays that there is a very modest upcharge for ‘holiday fees’.
An acceleration to the irrelevance in tipping is the rapid expansion of Contactless, EFPOS, Applepay, payment methods in even remote places on the globe. With a simple swipe of card or ‘phone the bill is settled. In very few instances is a signature required, and in only a tiny minority of cases can an addition be made.
Some places large and small put out a bowl or tin for tips. These might be places where cruise ships arrive and patrons have specifically asked how to leave extra money. But it is very clear to me that donating to this fund is exceptional, and not at all expected.
My choice, when in cafes, bars and restaurants, is to subtely leave some coin or modest banknote folded under a glass as I swiftly depart. No theatre, no grand gesture requiring acknowledgement. My absolute favorite experience was when I left a coin on a beer bar in Albania. This resulted in a manager being summoned and, after florid consultation, the monies were insistently returned to me.
Extend this concept to gratuities for tours, taxis, massages, haircuts. If you feel most comfortable with yourself paying an extra 20%, go ahead. But just know that the recipients are not expecting that munificence.