Tipping around the world

Tipping waiters is an old custom that is popular in most countries of the world. In some countries a service tip is obligatory and gets automatically included in the bill. In others guests tip their waiters separately, using cash or a credit card. Customary tip size varies from country to country. In continental Europe it can be under 5-10% (in Austria or Germany), but it is usually up to 15-20% in the USA or the UK. In Russia, where the revival of restaurant culture is relatively new, many guests used to leave overly generous tips – or no tips at all until quite recently. By now the situation has become more predictable – both the guests and the waiters have grown accustomed to a 10% tip. This way the guest doesn’t overpay the waiter but still has an opportunity to thank handsomely all the restaurant staff as the waiter traditionally shares his tip with cooks and other kitchen workers.