To tip or not to tip? That is the question

Less than a quarter of people in the UK know what is customary to tip when they go abroad according to a new study by Post Office Travel Services.

Almost half of people who go on holiday (44 per cent) say they always tip the same – wherever they go. But different cultures dictate that every country in the world has a unique approach when it comes to ‘tipping etiquette’.

For example, while the UK standard reward for good service is around 10 per cent, in some countries that level of tip would be an insult. Restaurants in the US expect 20 to 25 per cent for great service. In contrast, the act of tipping in Japan is considered rude.

Post Office head of travel services Kevin McAdam said: “Tipping can be a minefield when you go on holiday. But if you research before you go, it will reduce your chances of causing offence when you get there.”

And what’s more, people in the UK are aware that they may not be tipping enough. According to the study, two in five think UK holidaymakers are less generous tippers than those in other countries – only one in eight feel they are better tippers.

As a nation, while people in the UK appear happy to tip restaurant waiting staff, 70 per cent begrudge tipping certain people on holiday.

The top five staff holidaymakers hate to tip are:

Holiday reps and tour guides (46 per cent)
Deck chair and sunbed attendants (36 per cent)
Hotel front desk staff (31 per cent)
Bar staff (17 per cent)
Taxi/coach drivers (14 per cent)

Kevin McAdam added: “Begrudgingly or not, tipping in some form is expected in most countries. So before you go away, make sure you have lots of small notes and coins in the local currency to make tipping good service as easy as possible. Then you can get on with just enjoying your holiday!”