How much should you tip around the world?

T=To
I=Insure
P=Promptness

 

My wife and I spent time in El Salvador a couple of months ago. They have a 10% gratuity already added onto the bill in established restaurants there, but the food and service were amazing at the first place we ate at, so I handed our waiter $120 for a $94 bill...for two lobsters, a conch filet, fried calamari, calamari ceviche, grilled squash, rice, two Bloody Marys, a Mojito, and two bottles of water.

The waiter looked at me like I was an ####### and left. Someone who spoke English came back to my table with $26 in change and explained to me that in El Salvador they are honest people and not trying to take advantage of anyone. He said the price on the bill is what I owed, and that I had insulted the waiter by offering him more.

 

As strange as it is,tipping in some countries as frowned upon,and in some places it’s actually considered an insult.

 

The waitress that chased after me in China to give the tip back to me; I did the same the next day.
She chased after me again, as expected. She said I have to take back the tip. I told her, I didn't give that to you; I gave it to your children, so it's for them.
I already knew she has a couple of pre-schoolers, so probably needs the money. She almost cried when I told her the money is not for her, but for her children. She couldn't believe it. She was so happy that I showed caring for her children. She neatly folded the money and put it in her pocket. $20 USD.

 

Have you been to Ecuador? Big American expat population there; retirees.

 

I haven't. I've never made it past Central America yet. Just Mexico, Costa Rica, and El Salvador. I rented a truck in El Salvador and drove my wife and I around the country myself. I've never met more friendly people in my life.

We've got a trip planned to Belize and one to Honduras next year. El Salvador was easy because their official currency is the USD.

 

Great life for people that travel around the world.

 

I don't get to travel as much as I'd like, but I enjoy it.

 

We don't either right now. Youngest child starts the university next month.
When he was in online high school we could spend as much time as we wanted traveling overseas. 3 mos or more in China. Ride the fast train all over the country. We were planning our next trip to Macao, Hong Kong, Kowloon. Maybe a train trip to Tibet. We get a private room on the train with a table beside a picture window. That's on hold right now.

 

Here's a fast train dining car. Each train is a little different, but all very nice with table cloths.