Tipping in China
 

What would be an appropriate amount to tip the guide and driver for our private group tour? The tour company has suggested the equivalent of $12-$23 pp per day for the guide, half that for the driver. It was more than I expected. How about other tipping--taxis, restaurants, etc.?

Aaargh! You have clearly chosen the wrong tour company. Having done so, you're probably stuck tipping the guide and driver, but China is a NO tipping country. You do NOT tip taxi drivers - I have tried on rare occasions when I thought the driver went well beyond normal service, and had the money returned. Nor do you tip in restaurants, except possibly in hotels catering largely to American tourists.

The tipping guidelines you have received are from the tour company. They likely ask you to tip guides and drivers because they don't pay them adequately. As Thursdays says, tipping is not a tradition in China. You'll only encounter it with your tour group and at places catering to American tourists.

At the rate they're quoting they probably make the guide pay to get to take the tour, rather than just underpaying her. Expect lots of shopping.

lol, Thursdays!

Unfortunately, thursday wasn't really joking.

At that price, you are probably right.

karin tip what you think is appropriate... remember this is not like the organized OAT trips...

who did you book through?

so they are suggesting that if there are 6 of you that you would tip the guide as much as $140 per day?? but no less than $60 per day??

how much are they charging you per day for the work they are doing? touring...

Thanks for your responses. The company that is arranging our tour is China Highlights--and they did say that it is not necessary to tip the guide and driver because they are paid a salary plus performance bonus. Plus--no shopping stops required, where the guides often make money. We've already eliminated all of these from our itinerary. But, "if you want to tip", people usually tip these amounts. Now, I assumed it was per person, because I asked per person, but possibly they meant for our group of six. I think I'll clarify that with them. I think that last time we took a private tour in China, we tipped our guides about $5 pp per day. I know we didn't tip taxis or in restaurants last time--but that was over 10 years ago, and I rather assumed that they had changed their policies on that. I'm glad to hear otherwise. Thanks for your input.

Understand that if you hire your own private guide, it will cost you about $45 per day (for the whole group - not per person).
as another guideline, the salary of a recent university graduate will be 2,000 to 3,000 per month ($300 to $450 per month).
Compulsory tips asked from tour agencies are not tips at all. Since they do not pay their guides anything, why do you pay the tour agency any money? Hire your own guide: www,synotrip.com