July 2018 - Scoot In-flight Magazine

tipping
practices
A TIP
HERE’S
When is it acceptable to give gratuity?
When is it rude? How much is just right?
We lay out the low-down on tipping practices
in 11 countries around our network
HACKABLES
INDONESIA
Some restaurants may add a
ten percent service charge to
your bill and some dining places
do not. In such cases, drop ten
percent of the total cost to the
wait staff as a gratuity.
For taxis, round up your fare
to the nearest Rupiah.
Take note that many
Indonesian workers are
underpaid that some loose
change would already be a big
help to them. Just make sure
to give it directly to the
intended recipient.
THAILAND
Thai workers do not expect
tips, but a little can go a long
way, especially for those barely
making minimum wage. Give a
gratuity of 20 to 50 Baht to the
hotel porter who assisted you
with your luggage. At higher-end
accommodations, you may
place a 20 Baht tip—enclosed in
an envelope—on the bed for the
hotel maid.
Round the bill up or leave
the change when eating out at
small diners. At more upscale
restaurants, tip the waiter who
served you at least ten percent of
the total bill.
MALAYSIA
In Malaysia, restaurants already
include a ten percent service
charge in the total bill. Locals round
the bill up and leave the change as
a tip; you may do the same.
MEET THE
tip EXPERT
Richard Powell is the man
behind Who to Tip, an online
resource which collates
gratuity customs in over 80
countries. Established in 2014,
the website helps travellers
avoid the awkwardness when
faced with different tipping
situations in airports, hotels,
restaurants, and other tourist
establishments.
www.whototip.net
Hotel prices also include a
service charge. But you can hand
out a tip of 2 Ringgit each to the
porter or housekeeping staff if
you are satisfied with the
assistance they offer.
PHILIPPINES
Restaurants will indicate
whether they add a service
charge in the bill. No need to tip if
“SC” is stated in the receipt.
Otherwise, you may hand the
wait staff about ten percent of
the total cost.
When riding taxis, ask the
driver to keep the metre running
then pay the fare plus a ten
percent tip. Do not shell out extra
for pre-arranged or flat fees.
SOUTH KOREA
Tourists are not obliged to tip
when in South Korea as it is not
standard practice. However, in
Western-style restaurants and
some hotels, gratuity is much
appreciated. How much to give is
up to you; no offence is taken
even when you decide on not
tipping at all.
WORDS MICHELLE DOMPOR-ROLDAN PHOTOGRAPHY ALLEF VINICIUS BY UNSPLASH
SCOOT
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