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anonymous
Q: Tipping in China?
Do you need to pay tips to taxis drivers, restaurant waiters/waitress, hotel bell attendants / housekeeping attendants in China? How much do you have to pay? What's the general tipping rule in China?
This was hard for me when I first came here, as back home many years ago, I worked in the service industry myself, so I know the reliance on tips.
But in China it it is not expected and sometimes is seen as an insult, as you are saying they don't earn enough, so you are giving them extra....all about face.
I got used to it, but I still feel the urge to tip taxi drivers because they are just so damn cheap!
One of the great attractions of China. No tipping. Fkn annoying custom fostered on us by the USA. No one gives me a tip if I do my job well. Why should anyone else get one. Before anyone goes on about service industry low wages, just pay them what their skills and knowledge deserve for that particular country. If they dont do a good job, then tell to go get another.
I'm relieved to not have to tip . Although I tip generously at home , it's just because it's the norm . Don't like doing it though . It's basically a way for their jobs to make money off of their work without investing any in them , which I don't fancy .
I always wonder about hotels , though . What if it's a western hotel in China ? Should you tip the bell hop ?
LaiWenlai:
yeah me too, is tipping the bellboy is considered an insult to them ?
thedude:
Not expected, but I tipped a bellboy 50rmb once and he was happy beyond belief and asked me everyday if he could help me with anything!
There is tipping in China, but its not towards the same group of people and it's before the service is done. You have to grease the right palms to get many things done around here.
If you tip any of these people I'll kill you. We have a good thing going, keep it that way. 
lchickman:
Trust me , I have no desire to tip . But I also have no desire to look tacky at a fancy hotel . I also don't want to carry my own bags so dealing with a bellboy is inevitable . Just want to do things according to the norm here .
woody:
This is where I differ from many. I really couldn't give a fk about how I look to others at a classy hotel. Also very happy to carry my own bags.( but also happy if someone is employed to do it that they have a job) Grew up in a very working class family and area and take people for what they are, not where they are from or how much money they have. I think that tipping is almost demeaning to people, almost like the shoe shine boy in the days before racial equality in the USA. Yes I know people depend on it but it would be far better to pay people in the service industry what their contribution is worth and put the price up a little to accommidate the increase in wages. Why are their jobs any different to others.
In many hotels 4 stars and up in China, bellboy actually expect you to tip him when he take your luggages to the hotel room and you may provide any thing from 1 to 5 or even 10 RMB to the bellboy. I have given tips many times and also seen my Chinese business friends doing this many times.
Some restaurants/bars (often in some hotel restaurants and bars and the restaurant boxes) have already included the gratuity in the bill and shown in the menu. It is usually 15 % of the total bill. You may check the menu and the bill and make sure you are not paying double tips.
Why doesn't everybody just refuse to tip everywhere and piss the crazy expectation off for good. Why put 15% on a bill, just charge 15% more and pay people properly.
I noticed most girls want tips even tho I paid them well. I was told not to tip..I even told one girl that next time she should pay me.
I agree, I love the not tipping. I'm visiting the family in Canada at the moment and hating having to worry about that.
Although, in China, I have tipped taxi drivers who have gone well above and beyond the call of duty. I've known some who have had the patience of Job with me.
