The American tendency to offer excessive gratuities can be seen as rude in some countries like Japan.  Before you travel overseas, you should check to see what is customary before you tip abroad.  Often the gratuity is included in the bill so you can easily overpay, especially in European restaurants and hotels.


In some places, such as Vietnam, Thailand and Fiji, New Zealand and other South Pacific locations, there is no tipping at all!  In Japan, a tip is considered an insult.

Table 1:  How Much Should You Tip by Country
Country	Restaurants	Porters	Taxis
Australia	10%, fine restaurants only	$2 per bag	Round up the Fare
China	3% in major cities	$1 to $2 total	None
Costa Rica	None	$1 to $2 total	None
England	10% if no service charge	$1 per bag	15%
Fiji	None	None	None
France	5 to 10%	$1 per bag	Round up the Fare
Germany	5 to 10%	$1 per bag	Round up the Fare
Italy	10% plus service charge	$1 per bag	Round up the Fare
Japan	None	None	None
Mexico	10 to 15%	$1	50 cents
New Zeland	None	None	None
Thailand	None	None	None
United States	15 to 20%		see below
Vietnam	None	None	None

US Taxi Drivers: Taxi driver Zoran Jajcania, when asked how much he expected, replied " "Not much" for a short trip. "If you are going long fare, you will get paid well anyway."  Others say they pay 20%

Airport Limo Trips: I usually take a limousine to and from airports.  I ask the limo company when I book the limo what their drivers expect than add some if they show up on time, are polite and drive safely.  If I am spending $1,000 or more for a trip, it seems a nice way to start and end the trip by paying the driver a couple of extra dollars.