How is tipping culture changing around the world?

Have you ever wondered why in some countries leaving a tip for the waiter is an obligatory duty, while in others it can be considered rude or even offensive? Tipping has long been an important gesture of gratitude. It is believed that the term tip originated in 17th - century England, when members of the upper class would leave small sums of money to servants as thanks for quicker or better service. Over time, this gesture evolved from a simple gift into an unwritten social rule that spread worldwide.

Tipping around the world: How traditions differ across continents

Although the idea of tipping started in Europe, today it exists globally. The culture of leaving tips depends on economic conditions, historical traditions, and societal attitudes toward service. For these reasons, there is no universal tipping rule worldwide - each region has developed its own approach: in some places it has become a necessity, in others, merely an option.

North America

In the United States and Canada, tipping is an integral part of the service industry. In restaurants, cafes, or taxis, a tip of 15 - 20% is generally expected. Tips often constitute a significant portion of workers’ income, so tipping is seen as a natural part of paying for service. Leaving only 10% clearly signals dissatisfaction with the service, and in such cases, management will likely want to know why the service was considered below standard.

South America

In South America, tipping is not as deeply rooted as in the United States. It is more often seen as an additional, but optional, gesture. However, there are situations where leaving a tip is customary. In countries like Argentina and Chile, it is common to leave about 10% of the bill if the service was good. While not a strict rule, customers are often given the opportunity to tip, but not leaving one is generally not interpreted as dissatisfaction.

Europe

Europe tends to have a more relaxed approach. Tips are viewed as a sign of gratitude for excellent service rather than a mandatory gesture. However, this attitude varies greatly across European countries. In many European countries such as France, Germany, Spain, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, a service charge is usually included in the bill. In cases where it is not included, a tip of 5–10% in local currency is commonly left, unless the service or food quality was unsatisfactory. It is interesting that tipping is not customary in France.

Asia

Tipping culture in Asia is particularly subtle. In countries like Japan and South Korea, tipping is generally not accepted. The prevailing attitude is that high quality service is a natural part of the job for which employees are adequately compensated. Therefore, offering a tip can be interpreted as an implication that the staff are undervalued or underpaid. Instead of financial gratitude, polite gestures, respectful communication, and sincere words of thanks are more appreciated. In other parts of Asia, especially tourist areas, tipping may be done, but it is neither expected nor necessary and is usually symbolic.

Africa

In Africa, tipping culture varies widely depending on the country, city, and type of service. In many countries, tipping is not strictly regulated, but in tourist or more urbanized areas, it is quite common. In restaurants, leaving about 5 - 10% is typical, especially when the service was good.

Australia

In Australia, tipping is not deeply embedded in local culture. Due to relatively high minimum wages, workers’ incomes do not rely heavily on customer tips, so tipping is rare and usually only given as an extra thank you for exceptional service.

Digital Tips: How Technology is Changing Tipping Habits

Payment habits in restaurants have been rapidly evolving in recent years. Cash is increasingly being replaced by cards and mobile payments, and with this shift, the ways of leaving tips are also changing. Customers expect the entire payment process to be quick, clear, and convenient - and this applies to tipping as well.

Digital solutions allow tipping to be integrated into the overall restaurant experience. QR codes or mobile platforms give customers the opportunity to independently decide whether and how much to tip, without any additional pressure or awkward situations. This is especially important in the context of different cultures, where tipping can be perceived very differently.

Technology also helps ensure greater transparency and flexibility. Instead of unwritten rules or unclear expectations, customers are offered a clear and simple choice. In this way, tipping remains what it should be - a voluntary gesture of gratitude adapted to modern payment habits.

What does Greet offer?

Since tipping practices vary greatly across cultures, restaurants, cafes, and other service providers need a flexible solution that meets both local customs and modern customer expectations. Greet offers the Greet Tips solution - small tipping cards with QR codes that easily integrate into the entire payment process. By scanning the QR code on the card or sticker, the customer selects the tip amount, chooses their preferred payment method -  Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank card, or online banking - and confirms the payment. The process takes just a few seconds, and experience shows that customers leave several times more tips when using Greet Tips compared to traditional methods.

Moreover, in 2025, waitstaff using Greet Tips collected as much as 3.5 million euros in tips, reflecting not only customer trust but also the solution’s effectiveness in the service sector. This is a significant achievement proving that digital solutions can not only simplify processes but also substantially increase employee income.

• The solution and cards are free -  the system costs nothing for businesses or employees, and all tip amounts go directly to the staff without additional fees.
• Instant withdrawals with no minimum amounts - waitstaff can transfer their earned tips to their accounts at any time.
• Integration with the tax authorities - Greet takes care of income tax (VMI) payment and reporting.
• Adaptable to various sectors -  from restaurants to beauty salons and even charity organizations, Greet Tips can be used anywhere customers want to express gratitude.
• Easy tip sharing among the team - the system allows smooth distribution of tips not only to the serving waiter but also to the bar or kitchen staff, according to the restaurant’s system.
• Responsive Greet team - any questions or additional card needs are handled on the same day. Greet Tips cards or QR code stickers are never out of stock.

Tipping practices around the world have no single rule - in some countries, tipping is a necessary part of the service, in others just a polite gesture, and in some cultures tipping is avoided altogether. However, despite these differences, the essence of tipping remains the same - a voluntary thank you for a positive experience. In today’s world, where payments are increasingly digital, it is not the gesture itself that changes, but the way it is expressed. Greet provides a simple solution allowing customers to leave tips in the way that is most convenient for them.

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