Travel Agent - August 27, 2007 - (Page 22) Did You Know? International Tipping 101 Etiquette for tipping in various locales Dade recommends leaving a tip somewhere between 10 and 15 percent. “In Germanic countries, don’t leave a tip on the table; it’s PC to say the number hile at home in the good ol’ of euros you’d like to tip when paying,” U.S. of A., we generally know adds John Clifford of International Travel who, when and how much to Management in San Diego, CA. “In Italy, tip. However, when traveling it’s best to tip in cash, because otherwise abroad, the etiquette guideit will likely never reach your waiter or lines vary dramatically from country to waitress.” country, and it can be dizzying trying to According to Anastasia Mann, chairkeep all of the rules straight. Here, we man and CEO of the Corniche Group in provide you with a primer on tipping West Hollywood, CA, some restaurants in policies to pass along to your clients. European cities have started increasing the service charge amounts to between Three Successful Agents’ Tips 15 and 17 percent. And still it gets even Having lived in cosmopolitan cities like more confusing. “In France they will tell Paris, London and Brussels, and now you that the service charge is just that running a successful agency in Roanoke, and not the tip, so if you do not leave VA, Heinke McDade of McDade Travel extra they find it an offense to the perforknows a thing or two about the tricky mance of the wait staff,” Mann says. process of tipping in Europe. Her best advice is that if you’re not As anyone who has been to Europe sure, just ask. “In some cases it is hard knows, in some countries it is customary to know whether or not a tip has been to tip, albeit a small amount, while in added or not so it is always best to others, tipping risks offending the locals. ask—and do not be embarrassed to ask,” In these cases, it pays to be able to read she explains. “I had an occasion when your bill. “Tax and tip in France and my husband—a Brit!—ended up leavGermany are all included in your bill,” ing the equivalent of a 35 percent tip McDade says. “In Germany, it’s best to for mediocre service because the whole round up. So, if I go out to lunch and my thing was so confusing and he—being a bill is 87 euros, I leave 90. For excellent man—wouldn’t ask!” service, I leave 95.” When in doubt, McMann adds that Asian countries can be even more perplexing. “Some countries do indeed Knowing how much to tip find tipping to be insultin Europe can be tricky ing, while in Thailand now they are starting to be more aggressive and expect it,” she says, reiterating: “It is always a good policy to ask.” In the case of bellhops, McDade suggests giving one dollar—not euro or pound— per bag. “My husband and I were at the Savoy in London recently and we had three bags and we gave two W Help your clients know how much to tip pounds,” she explains. Clifford suggests tipping bellmen more modestly, usually one euro total, not per bag. “For housekeeping, a few euros on the table the morning of checkout is generous,” he says. In the case of taxi and chauffeured services, McDade again reverts to her 10 to 15 percent rule. “I usually recommend 15 percent to customers for chauffeured services, but they may choose to leave 10,” she says. During a recent trip to Turkey hosted by tour operator FLO USA, we learned that clients should tip tour guides about $6 to $8 a day and bus drivers should be tipped about $5 to $6 a day. When NOT to Tip Now that we’ve told you a little about when and how much to tip, let us share some circumstances where tipping is forbidden. Perhaps the most notable resort chains known for their non-tipping policies are SuperClubs Resorts and Sandals. At all Sandals resorts, tipping is not only discouraged, it is not allowed. Do not take the policy lightly by encouraging 22 TravelAgent August 27, 2007
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