I keep reading in guidebooks, articles etc. to tip $1 for this, $2 for that. Maybe this a dumb question -- but is tipping in US dollars okay? or frowned upon? or are you supposed to tip the equivalent in Rupees? Thanks in advance. And please be nice.

Tip in the local currency.

Definitely tip in Rupees. Where is the recipient going to be able to spend a one dollar bill?

Tip in rupees according to the current amount for India. Don't tip according to US tip amounts and convert to Rupees.

There are some Fodorites who travel to India often. Hopefully they will see your question and give you the current tip amounts for common services. If not, your hotel concierge can assist.

Indians do not tip much normally. Most seem to just round up to an even amount in restaurants or in a metered cab- like 5-15 RS.

With unmetered taxis, rickshaws, or boatmen you negotiate your price before you get in and since you've haggled over the price already, there is no need to tip. Same thing with nice restaurants that include a service charge.

Bell man in hotel 20-50 rupees a bag. Guy who snatches and carries your bags in a train station, 50 Rs total. 10 Rs to bathroom attendants or to photo subjects who want to be paid.

Keep in mind that a cycle rickshaw driver will pedal half way across the city for 20 RS for a local person. They will try to charge you 100 for the same ride, so keep that in mind.

Thanks so much. I kept reading tipping amounts shown in dollars and this was making me very confused! As usual, this board is the best place to turn!

i think they were giving you conversion amounts....

"i think they were giving you conversion amounts...."

That's what I intially thought, but elsewhere in the articles amounts would be listed in Rupees. Very confusing. thanks again everyone.

here's the issue....often you need a passport to change money....the people you are giving the american dollars to rarely have a passport or a bank relationship so what would they do with the money...

when was the last time someone gave you a tip in a foreign currency in your small town....what could you do with it?? throw it in the wastebasket i suspect....

personally if find it arrogant to give foreign people american money except in some countries where it is the norm, like cambodia and vietnam....

Depending on how often you think you'll have to tip, keep a combination of 10, 20, and 50 Rupee notes in your wallet - more of the 10 and 20s.