tipping in Turkey
 

We will be in Turkey next week. In Istanbul the hotel has arranged for us to be met at the airport. Do we tip the driver or is this fully covered by the hotel ? If we tip him, how much ?

We have only carry on bags.


Thanks

We usually tip our shuttle drivers TL10 or $5-6 and if a great deal of heavy luggage and they are very helpful and polite, twice that.

other, what about other people - doormen, tour guides, restaurant staff?

It is my experience that in Turkey tips are not expected so we only round off the bill, do tip tour guides,and leave small bills/loose change in the local currencies(TL) on the bed. Have never left more than 5 to 10TL. for anything. It makes it very difficult for non-US people to deal with the situation that free wheeling tippers create. Spain and Portugal likewise..Our tour guide in IST , after 3 one half day tours wouldn't take any money. She said she was well paid for her time and was happy to be of service to us.

Tipping tips for Turkey :

Taxis : round up. If good driver add extra TL or two.

Doormen : Tip TL5 for calling cab and being extra helpful and gracious at 5 Star hotels, otherwise one or two TL.

Tour Guides : I do not know, since never went on tour anywhere.
but agree with amer_can above.

Restaurants : Tip only waiter. Adding to credit card slip is not possible. Usual tip 10% of total bill. Even if you see a service charge on the bill. The service charge usually goes to the owner also. Should tip maitre if he gives you good table in full restaurant, upon your request to have sea view, etc. as you would in America. i.e. if he removes a "reserved" sign for you.

Bell boys : Tip 5-10TL depending on number of luggage.

Anyone who helps on the street : never tip. would be insult.

parking lot attendant : they will tell you the charge, you do not need to tip extra.

valet : TL3-5

large purchase at delicatessen : TL5 to one who carves and wraps
(this is an old Istanbul custom that the younger generation do not know, but gets you the better quality and freshest cuts and pieces)

> large purchase at delicatessen : TL5 to one who carves and wraps
(this is an old Istanbul custom that the younger generation do not know, but gets you the better quality and freshest cuts and pieces.

Just curious, if you wish "the better quality and freshest cuts and pieces" don't you have to tip beforehand and not when you receive the product? Isn't it a bit awkward?

Not awkward in a traditional deli with experienced employees. You tip with stretched hand over the counter with banknote in fist as he starts slicing your first few orders. He will also probably feed you with sample slices during the process. Which is a sign that he expects a tip and your acceptance of the tidbits is the promise of a tip.

<<<large purchase at delicatessen : TL5 to one who carves and wraps
(this is an old Istanbul custom that the younger generation do not know, but gets you the better quality and freshest cuts and pieces)>>>

This works at Katz' Deli in Manhattan too :-) (Put $1.00 in the meat carvers tip jar and make sure he sees you do so, get a huge sandwich. Don't do it - get a skimpy sandwich. Just business!)