The Art of Tipping While Traveling: What You Need to Know
- neph23
- Feb 19
- 4 min read
My Service Industry Journey: Highs and Lows
I've worked in the service industry for most of my life, and my experiences have ranged from incredibly lucrative to barely scraping by. At my best, I thrived in downtown nightclubs, pulling in enough tips to afford a three-day workweek and spontaneous road trips. But not all service jobs were like that.
There were times when I worked just as hard—if not harder—only to walk away with barely enough to cover rent. Some jobs had steady, generous customers who tipped well, while others had people who treated service like a privilege, expecting perfection while leaving pennies. When the smoking ban hit my city, many establishments, mine included, shut down. With fewer jobs available and more people competing for them, even a decade of experience wasn’t always enough to land stable work.
This instability made one thing clear: tipping culture and financial security are deeply connected. And that’s what I want to discuss today.
The U.S. and Tipping: A Love-Hate Relationship
The United States runs on a tipping economy. I have thoughts about that, but let’s start with the basics. When I first started serving, my hourly wage was $2.13. Yes, you read that correctly. Tips were supposed to make up the difference between the server minimum and the state minimum wage. Back in the day, a generous tip was 10%. Now, anything under 20% is seen as rude. But here’s the kicker: tipping is entirely based on perception.
For me, good service meant food arrived at the table and any requests were fulfilled. Simple. For others, good service meant being treated like royalty—someone to fawn over them, predict their needs, and perhaps even cut up their food for them. (There are, uh, other services for that.) My patience for this kind of customer service ran out a long time ago.
Wage Differences: A Big Factor in Tipping Culture
Where I’m from, tipped employees now make $15.79 an hour. The state minimum is $13.50. Still not a living wage, but far better than states like North Carolina, where the federal and state minimum wage for tipped workers remains $2.13. How do people survive on that? (Hint: they often don’t.)
So, where am I going with this? Stick with me.
Tipping Abroad: A Different Mindset
I’ve been to Scotland and England, where tipping is appreciated but not expected. Prices include tax, and you never have to calculate how much someone earns before deciding what to leave. This, in my opinion, is how it should be. Because let’s be real—the whole “the customer is always right” (original quote: "Le client n'a jamais tort" – César Ritz) has birthed some truly entitled behavior. Employees aren’t desperate to read your mind to make rent—they just do their job, and you enjoy your experience.
How Are People Paid in Other Countries?
In the U.S., we assume pay is per hour. That’s not always the case. Many countries have a per day minimum wage, and those workdays can be long. Overtime, maybe. If the U.S. applied that same structure, a tipped worker would make $17.04 a day. Would you take that job? This is why you get the stink eye if you do not tip in the U.S., and we curse your cow.
When I travel, I research wage structures. If tipping isn’t mandatory but appreciated, I tip. Always. However, cultural nuances matter—sometimes, just handing over money can be insulting. Instead, placing it in an envelope turns it into a respectful gift. Know the difference.
My Personal Approach to Tipping Abroad
Coming from the U.S. hospitality industry, I try to be generous when tipping abroad. If I know that 50K Dong or 100 Baht is only around $3 to me, leaving 100K Dong or 200 Bhat instead won’t break my budget but could brighten someone’s day. When I was in Vietnam, I realized (a little late) that I was tipping a lot—but hey, it was Lunar New Year, and my bad math ended up making a few people’s holiday a bit better. In one persons case, I think I tipped more than they make in a day. I hope they bought something cute!
A little extra on top of a day’s wage won’t change someone’s life, but it might change their day. And if you let go of your expectations of American-style customer service, you’ll probably enjoy your travels a lot more.
If You’re Visiting the U.S., Be Prepared
If you’re traveling to the U.S., expect to tip. Every taxi ride, beauty service, restaurant, bar, club, guided tour—you name it. A minimum of 20%. Why? Because every single service worker is relying on your tip to pay their bills since their employer doesn’t pay them a livable wage. See I told you I had feeling about this practice.
What to Research Before You Travel
If you’re visiting a new country, take a few minutes to research:
Wage structures – Is it per hour? Per day? Are tips factored in?
Tipping expectations – Is it rude to tip? Expected? Do you leave it on the table or hand it directly?
Cultural nuances – In some places, tipping feels like charity, while in others, it’s simply part of good etiquette.
Final Thoughts
Tipping culture varies wildly across the world, and understanding it can make you a more respectful traveler. Whether it’s tipping extra where it’s appreciated or adjusting your expectations in places where service doesn’t come with a performative smile, being informed helps you (and the people serving you) have a better experience.
And if you’re in the U.S.? Just tip your damn server.
