Is the US the only country with tipping culture?

In a nutshell: Similar to the Americas, tipping is customary and expected by servers in Africa and the Middle East. The amount varies by restaurant and economic state of the country. In Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, servers are used to receiving a 15-20% tip.



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In a nutshell: Similar to the Americas, tipping is customary and expected by servers in Africa and the Middle East. The amount varies by restaurant and economic state of the country. In Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, servers are used to receiving a 15-20% tip.

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Similar to the U.S., patrons in Canada and Colombia also tip staff 15-20%. In Argentina, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru, servers are used to a little less, with 10-15% gratuity being the norm. Most restaurants in Brazil, Chile, and Costa Rica include a 10% sit-down charge to the bill (referred to as a cubierto in Chile).

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At table-service restaurants, the tipping etiquette and procedure vary slightly from country to country. But in general, European servers are well paid, and tips are considered a small bonus — to reward great service or for simplicity in rounding the total bill to a convenient number.

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Just like in cafes and coffee shops, tipping in bars is not expected in Italy, but leaving change for your server is not uncommon. Many locals tend to simply round off the bill, and leave the remainder for wait staff if they are satisfied with the service provided.

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If you ask locals “Do you tip in Italy?”, they'll explain that while they sometimes leave a small tip, it's generally not necessary. In Italy, gratuity (or una mancia, pronounced oo-nah MAN-chah) is considered a bonus for exceptional service. And it's not often that you'll find a tip jar at a register.

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Tipping culture in Europe is very different, so there are some habits American travelers will want to leave at home. For most, tips are not expected in Europe, and it's fine not to tip at all, especially in more casual settings like bars or cafes. In other cases, though, small tips may be warranted.

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Tipping isn't mandatory in Germany. Instead, it's seen as a gesture of appreciation for a good experience. A tip is always welcome, but in Germany, it's usually based directly on the quality of service. If you're satisfied, leaving a tip is a way to show it.

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Japan. Unlike Spain, Japan is a country where you should not tip at all; it's actually offensive. In the majority of Japanese restaurants a bill is not brought to the table. Instead, payment is accepted at the bar, so even trying to leave a tip for the waiter can be tricky.

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If you ask locals “Do you tip in Italy?”, they'll explain that while they sometimes leave a small tip, it's generally not necessary. In Italy, gratuity (or una mancia, pronounced oo-nah MAN-chah) is considered a bonus for exceptional service. And it's not often that you'll find a tip jar at a register.

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Tipping a private driver in Italy isn't necessary. They're expensive anyway.

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The short answer is yes. Drinking water from the tap in Italy is considered safe. Tap water in the major cities and towns around Italy is safe for consumption, and there are thousands of old-style water fountains dotted around cities, like Rome, where you can fill up water bottles.

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