Who, when and how much to tip can spark heated debate. If you're going on vacation, it helps to know gratuity expectations before you travel, rather than wondering about them as you pen the tip onto your bill at the end of the night.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines a gratuity or tip as "something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service." And while it's important to remember that tips should be a voluntary expression of gratitude, they're definitely expected in certain places and situations.
Travel guides with tip expectations and recommendations
There are extreme tipping differences in countries around the world. Even in North America, where the tipping culture is reasonably consistent, there are disparities. In some countries, like Japan or New Zealand, tipping is almost nonexistent. If you're travelling to a foreign country, check out tipping policies in established travel guides like Frommer's, Lonely Planet or Fodor's.
Who is on the "must tip" list?
Technically you should never feel you must tip, but in reality, there are often situations in which tips are customary. Here are some of those places, with the mostly commonly tipped services leading the list.
1. Restaurants
Tip between 15 and 20 per cent of the bill. In Canada, a quick calculating guide is to triple the GST, which will give you a tipping amount in the 18 per cent range. If you're dining on a coupon, it's good form to tip on the full amount, not the discounted cost.
It's reasonable to leave a smaller tip at a self-serve buffet, but keep in mind that tips are often split between back-of-the-house staff (cooks, dishwashers, etc.). What's reasonable? Offer $1 per person if you get everything, including the drinks, yourself and give 10 per cent of the bill or higher if waitstaff bring your beverages.
Note: If you're dining out with a large group (eight or more), you may find a gratuity automatically added to your bill.
2. Bar service
Leave a tip of 10 to 20 per cent, depending on the quality of service.
3. Cruise ships
Frequent cruisers know that tips are an often-discussed piece of the cruise experience. Tips are usually expected, with many cruise lines now automatically adding tips to the cost of your trip. The onus is then on you to have the auto-tip removed.
Tipping policies vary from cruise line to cruise line and some high-end cruise lines have a no-tipping policy. Per diem tips work out to between $9 and $12 per person and that can be a hefty tab at the end of the trip. To avoid a nasty surprise, check out your cruise line's website for tipping guidelines before you set sail.
It's customary to tip cabin stewards, dining room staff, busboys, spa staff, bartenders and servers, table captains, and almost everyone else whose services you use during your voyage.
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