sf7307

Is tipping part of the culture (i.e. expected) in Vietnam, Cambodia and/or Hong Kong? If so, how much?

Hanuman

If they don't have a service charge on the bill I would leave a tip of around 10% max. In Thailand, I know you didn't ask about Thailand, I would leave between 20 - 100 Baht, depending on the total bill amount, at local restaurants. For taxis I would just round off the charge to the nearest whole number.

IMO it's more of a gesture instead of supporting a profession like in the States.

Cicerone

I can only really speak for Hong Kong, where I have lived a long time. Tipping is not part of the culture generally, although there are small ways of doing it. You would not tip a taxi driver for example, but can leave change, for which they will thank you. Many restaurants here automatically add a “service” charge of 10% or so, it is my understanding that the waiter sees none of it and it goes to the owner. In those circumstances, you could leave a small tip, but nothing like 10-15%, I would say more in the neighborhood of 5%. But you do not have to if you don’t want to, or if the service was not good. (If you have a large group, I would definitely leave 5% as that is a lot of work for a waiter.) In small family restaurants which don’t levy a service charge, again you could leave small change. Room service in hotels is a mixed bag; some hotels levy a service charge which may be paid wholly or partially to the server, so again if you want to add a small tip on top of the service charge you can do that. But I would say overall, a tip is not expected. (For example, I don’t tip my hairdresser or manicurist; however I do give them red packets with cash at Lunar New Year, which is what you would do for someone who provides regular service to you. Outside of that, tipping is not the norm here.)

That being said, I always tip someone who carries my bags in a hotel, I can’t say this is the practice in SE Asia generally, but I personally can’t have someone lug my bags (I never travel light) and not give them a small tip. I also generally always tip doormen if they get me a cab at a hotel if it involves going out into the street to hail one. Again, I doubt this is done by many others here. These are small tips, about a US$1 a bag for porters, maybe the same or a bit less for a doorman.

I believe the above would be the case for Vietnam and Cambodia, who have even less of a tipping culture as they have had less exposure to it over the years.

Kathie

20% in Thai restaurants in the US or in Thailand? Certainly 20% in Thailand is way outside the norm.

SiamKitty

Yes, 20% in TH. Waitstaff there are usually fantastic and I feel they're certainly deserving of it. Some ppl take the mentality that its ok to tip small coins and pocket lint- They're cheap and use the excuse that servers are poor anyway and therefore aren't deserving of any amount that may be deemed in excess.

rkkwan

I also tip around 5% (on top of the 10% service charge already added in the check) in HK restaurants where a waiter bring you the check. In the cheap eateries where you pay the cashier out front, DO NOT leave any tip on the table. No tip is expected in those.

Geordie

SiamKitty - have you ever heard the terms "When in Rome", "Cultural Imperialism" or "Ugly American"

Have a think about it

rhkkmk

i tip depending on the service... never less than 10% in restaurants and for really good service they see 20%---regardless---SIT DOWN YOU PURISTS!!

Hanuman

Bob,

Let say your meal comes to $100 and the wine you ordered cost another $150, totaling $250 and the service was good - how much would you tip?

I always argue with my wife and since she used to be a waitress while going to college she insist that I include the total for the wine and tip on that as well.

If a meal for 4 cost $50 I don't mind tipping 20% but if a meal ended up costing $500 then I only tip 10%.

Sorry to hijack your post sf7307! IMHO tipping is not expected over in Asia like it is in the USA.

sf7307

No problem Hanuman -- I always find these debates amusing! And I see no reason to tip in SEA just because we're used to it in the USA, either.

rhkkmk

i tip on the bottom line of the bill and yes you tip on the wine too unless you take care of the wine steward seperately...

dang is of course right.... she always is... who is the boss anyways...

the amount of the bill has nothing to do with the percentage left for the staff, imo...

btw, many purists tip on the net amount of the bill, sans tax... i consider that just being cheap....

in answer to your question i would tip at least $25, and more likely $50 if i was totally satisfied with the service. if i was with germans or australians i would grunt and stammer and refuse to leave anything, not even the change... lets see if this starts a fight..

Geordie

> no idea what that means

Replace Siamkitty with rhkkmk - have you ever heard the terms "When in Rome", "Cultural Imperialism" or "Ugly American"

Have a think about it

rhkkmk

i love thailand but i hate cats..

Cilla_Tey

I tip everywhere even in my home country of Oz but I don't use percentages like in America. Just whatever you feel like.