Expert: Victoria Hamilton - 5/10/2009

Question
I have heard that tipping is not customary in restaurants etc. but wonder with the advent of so many Western tourists if this has changed?  If so, what percentage should one give?  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Diana,

Tipping is an interesting topic in China because it really depends where you are and what you are doing!

Tipping on the whole is not done. You go to a Chinese restaurant and you leave the correct money and that's it. If you go to a foreign restaurant, there could be a tip of 10-15% included in the final price, so obviously you don't need to leave any extra. If you get a taxi..please please PLEASE do not give more than what the meter shows as I have noticed that now the taxi drivers are getting a little ahead of themselves and ask foreign passengers to pay more than what's on the meter, or pretend they have no change etc...the more tourists who come to China and do this, the more the locals and us foreigners living here have to deal with this problem. Of course, if you have had a great trip and really feel that you WANT to give a tip, then I can't tell you not to, but I can advise you to re-think! I know this is what we do in the West, but you need to start thinking in a different way when you arrive here, otherwise there will be an imbalance.

If you really want to leave a tip in a restaurant, I suggest you leave 10RMB or whatever your change is if it's under 20RMB.

Victoria.