Where should you never tip?

The Tipping Tightrope: When Generosity Becomes Unnecessary

Tipping. That age-old custom, fraught with confusion and potential awkwardness, continues to perplex even the most seasoned traveler and diner. While a generous tip can be a powerful expression of appreciation, it’s crucial to understand when tipping isn’t just unnecessary, but potentially inappropriate. Navigating the world of gratuities requires discernment, and knowing when to hold back your wallet is just as important as knowing when to reach for it.

This isn’t about being stingy; it’s about being mindful and respectful of cultural norms and established practices. Let’s examine several scenarios where withholding a tip is perfectly acceptable, even expected:

1. Service Technicians and Skilled Tradespeople: While a heartfelt “thank you” is always appreciated, tipping plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, or other skilled tradespeople is generally not customary or expected. Their services are compensated through an agreed-upon hourly rate or project fee. Adding a tip can be misinterpreted as implying their work was substandard and only worthy of payment with supplemental gratuity.

2. Flight Attendants: Flight attendants are employees of an airline, receiving wages and benefits for their work. While their job can be demanding, tipping is neither expected nor encouraged, and attempting to do so can even be considered awkward or inappropriate.

3. Countries Where Tipping Isn’t Customary: Tipping customs vary widely across the globe. In many parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe, tipping is uncommon or even viewed negatively, suggesting a lack of trust in the established pricing. Researching local customs before your trip is essential to avoid unintentional offense. If a service charge is already included, additional tipping is unnecessary and could even be considered rude.

4. Gratuity-Included Bills: Restaurants and other establishments frequently add a service charge or gratuity to the bill, often covering staff compensation. In these instances, a further tip is usually redundant. Check your bill carefully before adding extra; additional gratuities are unnecessary and may be seen as unnecessary generosity by the establishment.

5. Professional Services: Tipping professionals such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, or hair stylists is generally not done. Their services are priced accordingly, and additional tips aren’t customary or expected.

6. Curbside Food Delivery (from restaurants with no delivery fee): Many food delivery services now include built-in fees that account for both driver and restaurant costs. Unless you’re working with a smaller, independent restaurant where the delivery driver is independent and working purely on tips, additional tipping might not be necessary, especially in instances where the restaurant operates its own curbside delivery service and applies a delivery charge.

The Bottom Line: Consider the service received. Was it exceptional? Did the individual go above and beyond? These questions should guide your tipping decisions. A heartfelt “thank you” often carries more weight than a gratuity when the service was appropriately compensated. Tipping should be a gesture of genuine appreciation, not an obligatory transaction. Understanding the nuances of tipping etiquette ensures your generosity is well-placed and respectfully received.