Tipping at a café around the world
Coffee shops, tea houses, and casual cafés. Customs vary widely — here is what to expect country by country.
Europe
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | Optional | £0 — round up or drop change in tip jar |
| 🇫🇷France | Appreciated | Round up or leave 20–50 centimes per drink |
| 🇮🇹Italy | Optional | €0.10–0.20 at the counter ("al banco"); €1 if seated with table service |
| 🇪🇸Spain | Optional | No tip needed; leave loose change (€0.20–0.50) if you wish |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Appreciated | Round up to next euro — say "Stimmt so" |
North America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | Optional | $0.50–$1 per drink, or skip the prompt |
| 🇨🇦Canada | Appreciated | $1–$2 per drink, or 10–15% via POS prompt |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Appreciated | 5–10 MXN per drink, or 10% if you sit down |
Asia
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵Japan | Unusual | ¥0 |
| 🇨🇳China | Unusual | ¥0 |
| 🇰🇷South Korea | Unusual | ₩0 |
| 🇹🇭Thailand | Optional | No tip, or leave loose change (฿5–20) |
Oceania
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺Australia | Optional | Drop coins in the tip jar, or nothing |
South America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇷Brazil | Optional | Round up to the nearest real; coins in the jar |
Middle East
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates | Appreciated | Round up the bill, or AED 5–10 in the jar |