Rethinking Tipping Culture: A Traveler's Perspective

As travellers, let's question the (assumed) tip and reevaluate our personal tipping policies, challenge the status quo and make informed decisions about when to tip and when not to.

Have you noticed that almost everywhere you pay for something, there's an expectation for a tip? From coffee shops to now even retail stores, the prompt for a tip shows up at almost every point of sale. But should it be? As travelers, navigating the complexities of tipping can be even more challenging, as what’s considered “normal” can vary greatly from one country to another. So, where do you draw the line? When should you tip, and when is it okay “skip the tip”?

A Traveler's Perspective

In my opinion, tipping should never be expected or automatic. Any tip should be in response to exceptional service, never an obligation. Takeout orders, for example, often leave me with a dilemma. When you pay upfront, in most cases it’ll be difficult to gauge the quality of food or service you’re about the enjoy. Should a tip be given regardless? I find myself struggling with this question frequently.

Even though I’m Dutch, and allegedly culturally “cheap” (according to the stereotypes), I tend to tip …