tipping in India
 

What's the standard? Whom should I tip, and how much?

TIA

virtually every person you encounter will be looking for a tip....

the amounts can be quite small and are dependant on what you feel the service rendered is worth....

all will be appreciated....the more touristed areas will expect larger tips...

Thanks for the reply. However, can you clarify what "large" and "small" mean for tips in this context? A "small" amount for an Indian is obviously very different from a "small" amount for a Canadian.

Thx.

For someone carrying your bags, maybe a 20 rupees per bag, 50 rp if in a fancy hotel. doorman who helps to call a taxi and load the car, 50 rupees. Bathroom attendants 5 rupees. Photo opp subject maybe 5 rupees per photo. Shoe guy at the monuments 10 rupees. Person who suddenly starts talking to you at a temple or monument, then later asks for a guide fee, nothing! Priest at a temple who gives you a blessing, give the 20 rupees the locals give him, even though he'll work you for more.

Cab driver 10-50 rupees if you're on a meter (rare), and if not, he'll negotiate with you in advance and no tip is necessary. The guy at the train station who helps you find your car/seat 20 rupees, 100 if he gets you into a better section or finds you a seat when you had none.

Driver and Guide on a daily basis will expect tips. Base it on their service, $3-$5 a day seemed the norm.

In restaurants, just round the bill up to an even amount, unless you are in a place that serves mostly foreigners, in which case 10% is generous. these places usually have a service charge already on your bill.

The amounts seem small, but I asked my exchange student's mother, one of our guides, and one of the concierges at the Imperial hotel and they seemed to all sugest about the same.

Others may have different ideas.

i think what lcuy suggests, although in some cases, like the driver, i would be more generous....

Thank you very, very much for such a detailed reply, lcuy! I've copied it and will add it to my notes to remember file.

ttt I need to find it tomorrow!