Tipping

Tipping is a very common culture in Western countries, and in some countries, it is even required. However, the Chinese are yet to be totally accustomed to tipping, even if they are on the receiving end of it. As China is beginning to receive more influences from abroad these days, locals are more willing to accept tips, though usually only in more westernized cities.

In the past, when you try to offer tips to the locals in China, they will either be absolutely surprised or think you are trying to bribe them. Nowadays, tour guides, drivers, porters and waiters in trendier establishments readily accept a good tip or two with little apprehension, if any. Foreigners in China mostly tip according to the quality of the services, and tour guides and drivers are usually offered the best tips because they service the tourists for a large part of the day. Most of them will accept it, but those who are new to the business will hesitate to take favors from foreigners.

In other parts of China where foreign culture has yet to infiltrate, tipping is still a rather strange practice to them. Try not to leave money on the tables of restaurants like you do in your own countries because if you leave the restaurant without them calling you back, the tip will most likely go to the owner. Even drivers or porters in less affluent cities do not accept tips too readily. It is advisable not to tip when you are out of city limits unless it happens that the service is so truly exceptional that you feel absolutely obligated to.

Do not feel uncomfortable not tipping in China because all the products and services you pay for include consumer taxes, and the top hotels and restaurants even add a service charge to your bill, which amounts to at least 10% of the total price. By right, tipping is especially not required in top-class places because any ‘unofficial’ tipping can be considered double tipping. The fact is the local Chinese do not expect to receive tips for their services, whether from the locals or foreigners, and they will not feel the slightest disappointment if you do not tip them.

When you are in China, you will discover that the behavior of most folks there are rather strange. Depending on the locals you meet, some will not hesitate to accept your tips if you do it in the right way. When it comes to 'unofficial money', they are somehow not used to receiving them openly, especially if you ask them too blatantly. One way to skip all the fuss is to secretly hand it to them when nobody is looking. Just let them know that it is a xiao fei which means 'tip' in Chinese. It is quite common that they reject the tip at first because it is only a Chinese culture to do so, and you have to insist for at least a few times before they submit to your wishes, somewhat 'unwillingly'. But immediately thereafter, you will see the biggest smiles on their faces, as if telling you, "which cat doesn't eat fish?"

Many local Chinese are also more willing to accept gifts in the forms of souvenirs, alcohol or foreign cigarettes rather than just plain money. If you feel generous enough to insist on tipping, any kind of gift is the same, as long as it shows that you appreciate their services.