SPAIN
"The locals never tip in Spain – it's seen as bribery," says Helen Warburton, head of travel services at the UK's Post Office.
DO: Leave a small 5 to 10 per cent tip for services if you're a visitor, although note that in many locations, a nominal service charge is already included in the bill. Just to keep things nicely above board.
DON'T: Forget to slide your guide that extra bit if you're on a tour; 10 per cent should keep him waving his yellow flag high.
THE UNITED STATES
Ironically for the "Land of the Free", tipping is customary and expected for nearly everything. "This is reflective of the underlying ultra-capitalist culture of the States," says Ian Strafford-Taylor of foreign exchange service, FairFX. And of the fact that most Yanks obviously have more money than sense.
DO: As Mr Pink pointed out in Reservoir Dogs, waitresses are one of the many groups short-changed by the US government. So tip, and tip generously, as failure to reward good table service with 15 to 20 per cent is a no-no. "Even unsatisfactory service deserves 10 per cent," says Strafford-Taylor. "And you are expected to tip anyone who does anything for you – ranging from the doorman at the hotel to the theatre usher."
DON'T: Leave coins instead of notes; it is considered rude. If it doesn't fold, don't leave it.
EGYPT
The Western notion of tipping is a practice which resembles "baksheesh" in Egypt – a term used to describe everything from charitable giving to certain forms of political corruption and bribery across the Middle East and South Asia. "Baksheesh is very much a way of life in Egypt," says Warburton. Forget about it and it won't just be your camel that has the hump.
DO: Leave 10 per cent of the meal value for most restaurant service; for other small services, a few Egyptian pounds will suffice.
DON'T: Tip for a taxi: the entire fee is generally negotiated as part of the upfront bargaining.
Next: How to tip in Japan and Italy?
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