Don't Make the Mistake of Tipping in These 10 Countries

While Americans might be used to tipping their servers, there are many countries in the world in which leaving extra gratuity on the top of the bill could come off as gauche at best and downright insulting at worst. Here are ten countries where you’re explicitly not expected to tip.

Australia

Australia doesn’t have the same kind of tipping culture that the US has. As a general rule, servers in the country are paid a standard wage and some higher-end restaurants include service fees that go to the wait staff. Their focus is more on friendliness and providing a good experience.

New Zealand

New Zealand, likewise, has no tipping culture to speak of. This isn’t surprising, given that Australian and New Zealand share some cultural overlaps. Here, though, a small tip for genuinely outstanding service wouldn’t be refused, but it would never be expected.

Japan

people walking on road near well-lit buildings — Photo by Jezael Melgoza

Japan’s culture is very concerned with issues of honor, pride, and service to a greater good. Leaving a server a tip after a good meal might seem polite, but it would actually come across to them as a bit of an insult. They’d be likely to graciously decline, but you’ve now put them in an awkward position to correct you. Just clean your plate, say “thank you,” bow respectfully, and take your leave.

South Korea

areal view of building during nighttime — Photo by Ping Onganankun

South Korean restaurants and servers don’t expect you to leave a tip for exemplary service. If you do, you’re more likely to embarrass or even potentially offend your servers. They take great pride in their work and charges are included in the final bill in South Korea anyway.

China

a very tall building in the middle of a city — Photo by Christian Lue

Like many other East Asian countries, China does not traditionally have a tipping culture. Notably, in more rural areas, tipping is actually actively frowned upon as an ostentatious display of wealth. However, in some urban or tourist-y areas, the tipping culture might more closely resemble the American style.

Belgium

assorted-color of houses near lake — Photo by Alex Vasey

Belgium, like many other European countries, uses a service fee included in meal costs to compensate wait staff fairly. You wouldn’t be expected to leave a tip in Belgium for any meal, as it’s expected that the wait staff will provide a great experience to justify the price of the food.

Switzerland

body of water near concrete buildings under white and gray sky at daytime — Photo by Lin Mei

You might be sensing a pattern here. Many European countries, especially the wealthy ones, don’t tend to have any kind of tipping culture. This is usually due to their servers being offered fair wages as a consequence of the use of service fees, like you’ll see in Switzerland.

Denmark

red and white concrete building — Photo by Nick Karvounis

Danish servers and workers earn fair wages as a result of the country’s use of service fees. Don’t worry about leaving a tip—they’d rather you just spend your money on local goods and services to show your appreciation for their hospitality.

Finland

aerial photography of street at night covered with snow — Photo by Alexandr Bormotin

Surprise, surprise: a northern European country doesn’t like tipping! Finland, like many of its neighbors, is a country that values transparent transactions and would prefer for visitors to not tip the wait staff or servers. After all, their prices are straightforward and workers are compensated fairly.

Iceland

photography of white swan floating on water body — Photo by Evelyn Paris

If you take a vacation to Iceland, don’t fuss with living a tip for your servers. They probably don’t want it as a service fee is already included in the price of your dinners or hotel bill. If you want to show your appreciation, just buy a few more things!