Tipping tips

In some countries, you are expected to give extra money to people who bring you food or cut your hair. This extra money is called a tip.

Different countries have different rules about tipping. Here are our tips to help you know when, where and who to tip and how much money to give.

• In the US and Canada you’re expected to tip anyone who gives you a service. Most people tip 15% of the bill or the cost of the service. You can tip a bit more if the service is very good or less if the service is bad.

• In the UK, you’re expected to tip waiters, taxi drivers and hair stylists only. You should give taxi drivers and hair stylists a pound or two and give waiters about 12.5% of the restaurant bill. Ireland has the same rules about tipping as the UK has.

• You are expected to tip bartenders in the US and Canada but NOT in the UK and Ireland.

• Always check the restaurant bill to see if a tip is already included. You don’t want to tip twice by mistake. 

• In most parts of Australia, you will not be expected to give anyone a tip. Tipping has become popular at restaurants and hotels in recent years, especially in big cities. But even there, you usually need to tip only if the service is excellent.

• In New Zealand, the tip for your waiter is usually included in the restaurant bill and you are not expected to tip anyone else.