What country is it bad to tip?

Is tipping expected in Vietnam?

Tipping in Vietnam isn't mandatory, yet it's certainly welcomed. It's that extra cherry on top of good service, you know?

• Consider it a bonus, a "thank you" for exceptional service.

While not a cultural norm like in, say, North America, leaving a small gratuity is a kind gesture. Think waiters, drivers, maybe even that helpful hotel porter.

• Small gestures count a lot.

It isn't about obligation; it's about acknowledging and rewarding good service. I saw a guy give a barber an extra 20k dong just for the good chat. It's that simple!

• Good service deserves recognition.

Tipping etiquette remains fluid and influenced by tourism. A little extra can brighten someone's day.

Food for thought: Do we tip because we are expected to, or because we genuinely appreciate the service? In a world increasingly driven by automation, these human interactions are worth cherishing. It is worthwhile considering such elements.

Why is it considered rude to tip in Japan?

Tipping insults. Dignity, not dollars, is currency. Expect excellence. No extra needed.

• Service is inherent. Not earned.
• Pride trumps gratuity.
• My ramen shop, spotless. Tip jars offensive.
• Japan values consistent costs; tipping undermines.
• Consider it a cultural faux pas, rude!

Extra: Tipping implies inadequate wages, which reflects poorly on management. It disrupts harmony. My experience? An offered tip was met with polite, unyielding refusal. They simply bowed. Bows, not bills, matter. The current cultural landscape maintains this aversion, more or less. I also, think its pretty neat.

How much do you tip in Japan?

Tipping in Japan? Nah, that's like trying to teach a cat calculus. Not expected. You might as well try paying the cashier with Monopoly money, haha!

Japanese service? It's already included. Imagine, they're like, "You paid? That covers my stellar performance, thank you very much!" No extra necessary.

• Think of it: they're already paid well.
• Awesome service is their standard. Not some add-on.

Trying to tip is like insisting on bringing sand to the beach. A bit insulting, honestly. They believe quality is part of the price.

So, pocket that extra cash! Buy yourself some, uh, matcha ice cream!

More on Japanese Customs:

• Blowing your nose in public? Frowned upon.
• Slurping noodles? A sign of enjoyment! Do it loudly, please!
• Shoes off inside houses and certain restaurants. Obvious, but important!
• Business cards are exchanged with utmost respect. Like a sacred ritual!
• Train etiquette? Quiet, no calls. Just zen-like calmness.
• Saying "Itadakimasu" before a meal is like saying grace. A show of gratitude! I always forget!
• Gochisousama deshita - saying after the meal, thank you!

How much yen do you need per day in Japan?

Japan: Yen needed.

Cheap: ¥7,431/day. ¥52,019 for a week. Pocket change, really.

Mid-range: ¥18,875/day. ¥132,128 a week. Comfort exists. Remember Osaka's takoyaki.

Luxury: ¥48,155/day. ¥337,082 weekly. Indulgence. Worth it, perhaps. My grandfather always said, "Spend it while you got it." He died penniless, happy.

Yen value shifts like sand. These are just numbers.

• Cheap: Hostels, ramen, local trains.
• Mid-range: Decent hotels, nicer meals, some taxis.
• Luxury: Fancy hotels, Michelin stars, private cars.

Life's too short for bad sushi.

How much to tip a tour guide in Japan per day?

Tipping tour guides in Japan is tricky. Private guides and interpreters, while not expecting tips, certainly appreciate them. It's unlike tipping a nakayasan or geisha, where established norms exist.

The amount? It's entirely subjective. Consider factors like trip length and your satisfaction. A longer trip might warrant a larger tip. A truly exceptional experience calls for generosity. Think of it this way: are you leaving feeling richer from the experience, personally?

Key factors influencing the tip:

• Trip Duration: A week-long tour justifies a higher tip than a single-day outing.
• Guide's Performance: Exceptional service? Show your appreciation! Mediocre service? A smaller tip is acceptable.
• Your Budget: Tipping should align with your financial comfort. Don't break the bank!

For a 2024 multi-day tour (say, a week), I'd suggest ¥10,000–¥20,000. This is entirely my personal preference, based on prior experiences in 2023, and others' experiences I've learned about. For a single-day tour, ¥3,000 - ¥5,000 seems appropriate. This isn't a rigid rule—it's a guideline.

Remember, the gesture itself matters. The feeling of gratitude is more important than the amount. It's not really about the yen, you know? Honestly, a heartfelt thank you, plus a suitably generous monetary amount, makes a difference. It's like that. This is particularly true in a culture as nuanced as Japan's.

What is considered rude when visiting a restaurant in Japan?

• Mayoibashi: Wandering chopsticks signal indecision. A fatal flaw.

• Sorabashi: Touching food then rejecting it? Waste is a sin. Remember Aunt Carol's tuna casserole fiasco, 2013. Never again.

• The "omakase" dilemma. Trust the chef. Or suffer silent judgment.

• Leaving a tip? An insult. Service is expected. Not earned.

• Loud chewing? A celebration of flavor. But context matters.

• Sticking chopsticks upright in rice? Funeral offering. Avoid. Just avoid.

• Using your phone at the table shows disinterest. Be present. Or stay home.

• Pouring your own drink before others? Wait your turn. Etiquette is everything.

• Blowing your nose is bad form. Sniffling acceptable. Strange, but true. Allergies are the devil.

• Refusing sake? Grave. Only with a damn good reason. Like, say, impending nuclear war.

What is considered offensive in China?

Okay, offensive stuff in China... right.

• Touching... yeah, no touching. Like, at all. Strangers, especially. Hugs? Nope. Arm-linking? Hard pass. Back slaps? Are you crazy? Personal space, people! I learned that the hard way, almost accidentally bumping into someone in the Shanghai subway and getting the stink-eye.

• Clicking fingers and whistling? Super rude. Why is that even a thing? Never do that. Is it like calling someone a dog or something? I'm guessing.

• Feet up? On desks? On chairs? Never! Ever! It’s disrespectful. Ugh. Like putting your shoes on the dinner table at grandma's, just way worse. Feet down always.

Random thoughts:

My cousin, she visited in '23 and said tipping is weird there. Is it still? What else did she say? Now I can't remember! Oh! Chopstick etiquette! Never stick them straight up in your rice bowl. I'm pretty sure it symbolizes death or something morbid. Anyway, just don't do it! It’s like creating a mini-funeral pyre, according to what she said.

Speaking of food, I once ate dog meat in China (accidentally!) and felt terrible afterwards. Should not have gone to that shady hole-in-the-wall restaurant!

What else is offensive? Oh yeah, talking politics! Especially anything critical of the government. Keep those opinions to yourself, seriously. And no jokes about Xi Jinping!

I need more tea...

Things to avoid, in summary:

• Physical contact with strangers.
• Clicking fingers or whistling.
• Putting feet on furniture.
• Sticking chopsticks upright in rice.
• Criticizing the Chinese government.

I bet there’s more. Gotta look it up later.