By Rozie Juma
In most developed parts of the world, tipping is a multi-billion dollar industry. It may be illegal in some countries, but it is just a polite way to say ‘thank you’.
A tip is a token; a small amount of money rendered voluntarily to show appreciation for a service. The amount of tip depends on how good the service is.
Many waiters, guides, drivers and others are not even paid minimum wages by their employers, so they depend on tips for survival.
So, how much should you tip? Some people think ten per cent is adequate, while others give 15 or 20 per cent of the bill. In Kenya, we do not base our tips on percentages, but the amount can range from as little as Sh20 to Sh1,000, depending on where you are and how much you can spare. A tip should not be inappropriate, too generous or insufficient.
Here are some basic guidelines on tipping appropriately.
Hotel or bar: Worldwide, the general rule is to tip a bartender ten to 15 per cent of the total bill. If a bar is crowded, a generous tip after every round is sufficient.
You could tip a delivery person ten per cent minimum, whereas a porter should be paid a minimum of Sh100 per bag. A parking attendant deserves a Sh100 tip if the parking space is free and Sh50 if you have to pay for the parking space.
Travel tipping: A taxi driver can be given Sh100 to Sh500 for company cabs, while a petrol station attendant does not need to be tipped.
Personal service: You can tip your hairdresser, barber, manicurist or masseuse ten to 15 per cent of the bill. If the attendants go an extra mile in their service, a generous tip is called for.
Other situations: When furniture is delivered to your home, tip the deliverer at least Sh500. For food delivery at home or in the office, you can give five to ten per cent of the total bill. For deliveries like flowers, Sh100 is sufficient but could vary, depending on the size of the flower arrangement.
Across the globe: The practice varies from country to country. On a trip to Dubai, after the porter brought my luggage to my hotel room, he just stood there staring at me. That is when it hit me that he was waiting to be tipped. In that part of the world, it is almost a rule.
However, in many countries, there is no tipping, for example in Australia, Argentina, Japan, Belgium, Switzerland, Malaysia, Slovenia and Spain. In Egypt, Ethiopia, Ireland, Mexico and Canada, however, it is a way of life.
Tipping is practised in all restaurants in India. In France, a tip is included in the price for service, while in Finland and Norway, it is optional. In Germany, Russia, Hungary, the Netherlands and Greece, the tip depends on the quality of service.
