|
Pssst! I've got a secret that can save you money.
You tip too much when you travel overseas. In some cases, you hand out
so much money in gratuities that people think you're crazy — and a little
foolish.
So please stop. Otherwise, in no time at all, the entire world will be
ponying up 18% every time they buy pommes frites in the Caribbean
or tamales de pollo in Guatemala.
"It is difficult to not over-tip". "But eventually, I heard from
some of the workers in restaurants I visited regularly that Americans tend
to over-tip. Of course, they said it with a smile. Then I realized I was
doing it too."
"We over-tip outrageously"
"The most glaring way to show you're an American — besides your accent
— is to over-tip. In some countries, particularly Asia, it isn't even
considered polite to tip. When you do it in these places, you're saying
that the person you're tipping isn't hospitable enough to provide service
without a bribe."
Tipping is a relatively recent custom, even in the United States. It
was considered demeaning here until the 20th century, etiquette expert
Miss Manners, a.k.a. Judith Martin, has written in her columns. Before
that, many Americans thought that accepting a bit of extra money from a
customer, besides your regular pay, seemed like a handout. It smacked of
old-world servitude.
"The more Americans travel, the more countries expect tips" "Pretty
soon everyone will tip 15% everywhere"
And some countries still consider it demeaning.
In Japan, for instance, tipping is viewed as insulting. In other
countries, it's considered disrespectful to hand a tip to a waiter. That's
why small trays are left on the table in those regions.
"It's so important to be considerate and respectful of the countries or
culture you're visiting." "You need to remember you're not at home."
Respect is what it's all about, many experts agree.
"As the world shrinks, it behooves us to learn the nuances of other
cultures," said Ramani Durvasula, associate professor of psychology at Cal
State L.A. "To do so is the most fundamental way of showing respect."
There's another ethical issue involved in tipping abroad. Some people
think they should spread the wealth, especially in developing nations,
where poverty is prevalent. They think tipping is ethically correct, even
if it is a cultural error.
"Are Americans tipping to 'pay it forward' and share a few dollars with
someone who would greatly benefit, or [are they doing it in] ignorance of
the local customs because they couldn't be bothered to learn them?"
Durvasula asked.
"At the end of the day," she said, "the responsible traveler does her
homework, learns the social mores and applauds excellent service with a
compliment."
How does one go about doing that homework?
"Check guidebooks in the region you're going to." "Or ask the
concierge. Just say, 'We're from out of town, and we don't know what the
custom is on tipping."
You may find that a tip is included in the bill. That's true in many
European restaurants and hotels.
You may learn that tipping is common in the larger cities in a region
but not in the countryside.
Or you may be told that there's no tipping at all, such as in Vietnam,
Thailand, Fiji and in parts of the South Pacific.
And that's information you wouldn't want to ignore.
|
