Australia NZ tipping question

[GrammieMame]

I know that when eating out USA style tipping isn't the norm. How about tips for tour guides, taxi, private car services etc?

[CaroleSS]

I read in TripAdvisor (CC's sister site) that tipping at meals in NZ, although not customary and not required, is appreciated. 10% is the 'norm'.

 

Apparently tipping for taxis is to round up to the nearest dollar so they don't have to hunt for change.

 

Although I don't suppose anyone would give you a tip back if you offered one!

Edited January 10, 2014 by CaroleSS

[celle]

Save your tipping for times when the service you receive is exceptional. Don't tip routinely.

 

Tipping at meals in NZ may very well be appreciated, but it is not necessary. Everyone here gets a good minimum wage and nobody is dependent on tips for a living. Management sometimes adds a "Service charge". That's not compulsory either, except for additional costs on public holidays.

 

Some smaller cafes and restaurants have a tip jar on the counter - it's a good way to get rid of unwanted small change, but you don't have to put anything in it.

 

For the most part, here downunder, a smile and a "Thank you" are sufficient.

Edited January 10, 2014 by celle

[gek]

One thing you should not do is get hung up on tipping rules in Australia/NZ because there simply are none. Just do whatever you feel comfortable with.

[20pluscruises]

Save your tipping for times when the service you receive is exceptional. Don't tip routinely.

 

Tipping at meals in NZ may very well be appreciated, but it is not necessary. Everyone here gets a good minimum wage and nobody is dependent on tips for a living. Management sometimes adds a "Service charge". That's not compulsory either, except for additional costs on public holidays.

 

Some smaller cafes and restaurants have a tip jar on the counter - it's a good way to get rid of unwanted small change, but you don't have to put anything in it.

 

For the most part, here downunder, a smile and a "Thank you" are sufficient.

 

 

Maybe we need to send the Por of Miami baggage handlers don under for some training!

[sandyss]

Maybe we need to send the Por of Miami baggage handlers don under for some training!

 

Does that mean that we should not tip the port baggage handlers in Sydney?

[Bizziecruzer]

No "Need" to tip anyone. Australia has a different wage structure whereby the employer pays them a fair wage for a fair days work. I think the minimum hourly wage for an adult in Australia is approx $16.40.

[heathluvsing]

Yes, please don't tip in Australia or NZ. We really don't want our culture to change. Plus we give great wages to the workers. Thanks!

[Tiffany's mom]

Yes, please don't tip in Australia or NZ. We really don't want our culture to change. Plus we give great wages to the workers. Thanks!

 

We were in Australia last month and did tip sometinmes. Had a wonderful cruises to Singapore.

 

We had tablemates from Australia who only came to dinner 4 nights on a 17 day cruise. The problem was there was 3 of us and 5 of them. So we set at a large table almost every night by ourselves.

 

And yes, they did not change the culture. They removed all tips for their account (they told us). The poor waiters and room attendent got nothing. Celebrity cruises is Not a Autralia cruise line. And the servers are NOT paid great wages.

 

We always think of the tips as part of the price of the cruises

[Antonintassie]

Hi

 

With taxis we generally round it up to the next dollar to eliminate the change issue

 

Private drivers depends on the service if its exceptional maybe $10.oo

 

Not sure abour tour guides I have never used one at home

 

Wait staff depends on the service but in a good high end table service resturant maybe $10.00

 

tTps are really based on service here rather than a fixed fee as the average hourly rate is higher

 

I know that when eating out USA style tipping isn't the norm. How about tips for tour guides, taxi, private car services etc?

[heathluvsing]

Just to let you know, all Australian have to prepay all of their cruise gratuities ahead of time.

 

And when I refer to not tipping in Australia, I am meaning once you are in port not on the cruise.

[Pushka]

At restaurants I usually round up to the nearest five or zero dollar amount. Taxi drivers aren't paid all that well and I usually give them a couple of dollars. I don't tip Aussie porters. I leave auto tips on. I leave a tip for Aussie based cruises where there are no tips added. I never tip in cafes etc.

 

For Aussie tours - not sure. It would depend on genuine service and wouldn't be automatic at all.