Tipping customs at restaurants around the world

Tipping abroad depends on the country and on what the bill already includes. Some places expect a tip for table service, some add a service charge automatically, and a few do not expect a tip at all. The most useful habit is to check the bill for an included charge first, then decide how much to leave in the local currency.

Following a short routine avoids two common errors: paying twice when a service charge already applies, and leaving too little where a tip is expected.

Checking the bill for a service charge

Before adding anything, look for a line labeled service charge, service included, gratuity or a similar phrase. In some countries, service charges are added automatically to bills for larger groups, and in some tourist areas they appear on every table. When the charge is mandatory, adding another 15 or 20 percent on top can mean paying twice without meaning to.

In France, menu prices are required to include service, and the phrase service compris on a menu or bill means the charge is already included. Leaving a small extra amount for good service is common but optional. The same check applies elsewhere: if the bill says service is included, treat any extra amount as a gesture rather than an obligation.

The wording of the line matters. In the United Kingdom, a charge may be labeled discretionary or optional, which means it is not compulsory, and you can ask for it to be removed if the service was poor. A charge described as mandatory is different and is normally paid as part of the bill.

Before you pay, work through these checks:

• Read the bill for a service or gratuity line before adding a tip.
• Notice whether your group size triggers an automatic charge, since many places add one for larger parties.
• Ask a staff member if the bill is unclear, using a simple question such as "Is service included?"

Cash, card and the tip line

Card terminals in some countries show a tip prompt with suggested percentages. When you can, enter the amount you intend to leave rather than accepting a high default. If the terminal offers no tip option, cash is the usual alternative.

Handing cash directly to your server is often clearer than leaving money on the table, where it may be picked up with the dishes or overlooked. In places where tips are a standard part of pay, the amount matters to the people who serve you, so count what you leave with care. If you are unsure whether a tip is expected, asking a staff member is a normal question and will not cause offense.

Check the final amount on the terminal screen before you approve a card payment. A tip prompt or a default selection changes the total, and the slip printed afterward shows that figure. If the number does not match what you meant to leave, ask staff to correct it before you leave, since a mistake is much easier to fix at the table than afterward.

Rounding up and tipping by feel

In many European countries, the tip for good table service is modest. Rounding the bill up to a convenient amount, or leaving roughly 5 to 10 percent of the total for a sit-down meal, is a common approach. For a counter lunch, a coffee or a takeaway, rounding up the change is usually enough, and in many places no extra tip is expected at all.

In the United States and Canada, tipping is part of how many servers earn their income. A tip of 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax total is the customary range for table service, and a noticeably lower amount is generally read as dissatisfaction with the service. Visitors from places with different norms often find this expectation surprising, but restaurant staff there plan their earnings around it.

When a bill comes to just below a convenient note, many diners leave the difference rather than waiting for change at a busy counter. Saying that the rest is for the staff is understood in most places that round up, and it keeps the exchange quick and clear.

Countries where tipping is not expected

In Japan, tipping is generally not part of restaurant service, and staff may return money left on a table, which can make a tip feel awkward for both sides. South Korea also does not usually expect tips at restaurants. Australia and New Zealand do not expect tips at restaurants either, although a small amount is sometimes left for exceptional service. In mainland China, tipping is generally not expected at ordinary restaurants. Expectations can also differ within one country. Tourist-focused restaurants in some places may expect tips that neighborhood restaurants do not, and hotel dining rooms or organized tours can follow their own practice. Because the local pattern is what matters, a brief question to staff is more reliable than a general rule.

If a bill already includes a service charge, the expectation in that place has been met, and an extra amount is unnecessary. Where tipping is not customary, a sincere thank-you and a polite goodbye are a normal way to show appreciation.

One last point concerns the payment itself. When a card terminal offers to charge in your home currency, choose the local currency, since the other option usually carries a less favorable exchange rate. That keeps the total on the slip in the same currency as the amount you planned to leave, so the figure you approve is the one you pay.