Current tipping etiquette in Hong Kong?
Dec 8th, 2011, 04:27 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Current tipping etiquette in Hong Kong?
The most recent info I could find on this was from 2004 so I am wondering what the story is today. We have just arrived in Hong Kong and I am not sure whether to tip or not. S far we have eaten in small restaurants where if seems that tipping is not expected (although I did leave a little extra at lunch). Any input?
Dec 8th, 2011, 05:46 PM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,689
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Check the bill at the restaurant and you may see that service has already been included (usually 10%), so if that is the case, you don't have to leave any tip. But bear in mind that the server most likely won't see any of that "tip" so if you want to leave a little cash, you can do so. If service is not included, no tip is not expected, but as noted above, you can leave a little, or leave change.
For a taxi, no tip except you can leave small change if you want and you will get a "daw jay" for that. If you have a lot of bags going to the airport you can give a small tip for that. (There is a luggage charge, but taxi drivers don't always charge it, see the yellow card affixed to the inside of the passenger doors to see the amount.)
For a taxi, no tip except you can leave small change if you want and you will get a "daw jay" for that. If you have a lot of bags going to the airport you can give a small tip for that. (There is a luggage charge, but taxi drivers don't always charge it, see the yellow card affixed to the inside of the passenger doors to see the amount.)
Dec 8th, 2011, 05:54 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 23,073
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BTW, do not leave any tip on the table. It is NEVER done in HK. And diners around you may either think you've left money, or they'll pocket it.
For taxis, more than once I've actually been given a tip by the driver, when they round up the change given back to me. Also, it's done a bit less in the last year since they reduce the fare on long trips, but for a while, it's common for the passenger to bargain for fares on long trips, or the driver offer a cheaper rate for airport. Therefore, tipping is definitely not necessarily.
But when it's raining hard, etc, and when/where you cannot find a taxi circulating, THEN, if you call the dispatch, it's not uncommon that they'll add a dispatch fee on top of the actual fare.
For taxis, more than once I've actually been given a tip by the driver, when they round up the change given back to me. Also, it's done a bit less in the last year since they reduce the fare on long trips, but for a while, it's common for the passenger to bargain for fares on long trips, or the driver offer a cheaper rate for airport. Therefore, tipping is definitely not necessarily.
But when it's raining hard, etc, and when/where you cannot find a taxi circulating, THEN, if you call the dispatch, it's not uncommon that they'll add a dispatch fee on top of the actual fare.
Dec 8th, 2011, 05:56 PM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 23,073
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BTW, I do tip taxi drivers once in a while recently, when I'm taking a wheelchair. There's no wheelchair fee, unlike luggage. If the driver is courteous and help me with the wheelchair, then I may give him/her a small tip.
