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Is it rude to leave a tip at restaurants in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan or Korea?

I know that not all cultures tip waiters and waitresses, let alone essentially require tips as in the US. I've heard that in China gratuity doesn't express gratitude but is rude or insulting. Is there truth in that? How are tips perceived in China and elsewhere in East Asia? Korea and Japan are very different from China culturally but still have many similarities. I wonder how they perceive tips as well.

13 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    The idea of tipping is foreign to Asian countries.

    In countries like Taiwan, Singapore, or Hong Kong, a 10% gratitude/tip is already included in the bill in nice, fancy restaurants. If there's no such charge, you do not need to tip in addition to your bill.

    In Japan tipping is an insult. Japanese waiters work for the restaurant as a team. They believe that if a customer enjoys his visit then he will return back to the restaurant again, or refers others to the restaurant, thus bringing more business and revenue to the team.

    in the US waiters are paid crap, and have to rely on tips as the real source of income. It's more a every man for himself type of customer service.

    In many Asian restaurants in the US, especially the small ones, the tips are shared among the staff including the chef and busboy at the end of the day.

  • 1 decade ago

    In Japan, there was not the custom of "tip".

    But, as for the tip, it is not unusual because we can study the custom of various countries now.

    We are happy if I get a tip by our recognition.

    Because "we are poor, I do not regard it as" which I got.

    I was front desk manager of the hotels before, but the tips more than 10 dollars were coffee charges of the front desk staff.

    In the case of the Japanese restaurant, there is not the custom of the tip.

    The change when you paid does not need the tip.

    But there is not the problem even if you give a tip.

    The graceful person will not receive a tip inside.

    There are many graceful people in a person of the service trade in Japan.

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    From that selection I would say South Korea, even though I've only ever been on holiday. I lived in Hong Kong and Japan for five years so I guess I associate it with work.

  • 1 decade ago

    I can only answer specifically for China. It's not rude. It's not common. It will be considered as you have forgotten to take the money from the table. Sometimes the waiter will chase you and give it back to you. Sometimes they will take it and give it to the manager/boss. They are not allowed to take the money from the table since it was not a tip for them unless you give it to them personally and put it in the their hand. But they might get into trouble as they manager/boss might think they're taking bribes.

    The best tip in China is talking to them in either Chinese or English. Give them your business cards, let them take a picture of you with their cellphone, etc. They love it and will remember you even years after you met.

    I'm American from Seattle, living and working in China since 2006

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    it depends what cities you are in china..

    like big cities shanghai and quite high class restuarants and hotels all except tips

    especially in 5 star hotels, it is expected though not alot normally a range from RMB 10-50

    im not sure about korea or japan sorry

  • 1 decade ago

    Let me give you the best answer, i don't know Japan and korea, But in China, leave a tip at restaurant is ok. The staff in the restaurant will feel happy when you give them tips. Why you give tip? Because you appreciate the service they give, it means your service is good. Why they feel humiliation?http://www.primeyiwu.com/

  • 1 decade ago

    In japan it isn't rude to leave a tip.But you don't have to leave it because at good restaurant the price include a tip .If you do want to leave it ,you should say "tip",then all of the japanese understand it.Not rude.

  • 1 decade ago

    Do not tip because of the fact that people think that it's their job in china

  • 1 decade ago

    I agree with the two answers above. It is not necessary to tip, but I usually do and wait until the waitrer/tress come by and try to comunicate that this is your tip and thank them. They'll probable be bashful about it but I leave it anyway.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Well, when a foreigner gives a person extra money, some might think that the foreigner is giving pity on them, thinking they're poor. Or something like that.

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