For many people, there’s always a moment of hesitation when the bill arrives at a restaurant. Should you leave a tip? If so, how much is considered appropriate? The answers aren’t always straightforward.

But where did tipping originate, and why is it considered good etiquette in some places while discouraged in others? In this article, we’ll explore the history and customs of tipping around the world, helping you feel more confident the next time you’re faced with this common dilemma.

The origins of tipping

Surprisingly, tipping dates back to the Middle Ages. While we commonly think of it as a gratuity today, similar customs existed under various names, including beer money, bath money, and even tea money.

The exact origins remain uncertain, and several legends surround its beginnings. One popular theory traces tipping back to 1509, when a German craftsman reportedly asked one of his customers for Trinkgeld—literally “drinking money.” Around the same period, it also became customary for guests to buy a drink for the serving staff as a gesture of appreciation. Whether this improved the quality of service is open to debate, but it certainly helped create a more cheerful atmosphere.

Tipping around the world

Tipping customs vary greatly from country to country. A good starting point is checking whether a service charge has already been included in your bill. If you’re unsure, there’s nothing wrong with asking the staff directly.

For travellers, tipping etiquette guides covering more than 80 countries can be particularly helpful. These resources explain not only whether tipping is expected in restaurants, but also whether it’s customary to tip taxi drivers, hotel staff, tour guides, and other service providers and how much is considered appropriate.

Tipping culture in East Asia

Although tipping is widely accepted across much of the world, some countries have a very different perspective.

In Japan, offering a tip can actually be considered impolite or even insulting. This stems largely from cultural values that place great importance on respect, professionalism, and taking pride in one’s work. Excellent service is regarded as a standard expectation rather than something that should be rewarded with additional payment.

In China, tipping is viewed somewhat less strictly, but because it was prohibited for many years, it is still uncommon outside major cities and popular tourist destinations.

Similarly, tipping is not a regular practice in Australia, where it’s generally believed that employees’ wages should already reflect fair compensation for good service.

Tipping culture in Europe and the United States

Throughout most of Europe, leaving a tip in restaurants is both common and appreciated. As a general guideline, around 10% is considered standard, although customs vary from country to country. In the Nordic countries, for example, tipping isn’t obligatory, but leaving 5–10% for good service is relatively common.

The situation is quite different in the United States. There, tipping is not only customary but widely expected across many service industries. In restaurants, gratuities of 20–30% are not unusual, and failing to leave a tip may be interpreted as a sign that you were dissatisfied with the service. In some cases, staff may even ask whether there was a problem if no tip—or only a very small one is left.

How much should you tip in Hungary?

The best rule of thumb is simple: tip according to the quality of the service, food, drinks, and overall experience you received. In Hungary, guests typically leave 10–15% of the total bill as a gratuity, although some choose to leave less, while others are happy to tip more for exceptional service.

Of course, many factors can influence the amount you decide to leave. However, if your experience was pleasant and free from any major issues, a tip within this range is generally considered appropriate.

It’s also worth noting that tipping in Hungary extends beyond restaurants and bars. It’s common to leave a gratuity for a variety of services, including beauty treatments, hairdressers, taxi drivers, and other hospitality-related professions.

Service charge vs. tip

Although the terms are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation, a service charge and a tip are not the same thing.

A service charge is an official fee added to the bill for the service provided by the restaurant staff. It is a legally recognised charge that forms part of the business’s revenue and also includes VAT. For this reason, the entire amount does not go directly to the server.

As a result, even if your bill already includes a service charge, you are still welcome to leave an additional tip if you were particularly satisfied with the quality of the service, food, or drinks.

In recent years, many restaurants and cafés have introduced POS terminals that allow customers to add a tip by selecting a pre-set percentage before completing their card payment.

While this makes tipping more convenient, some people feel it lacks the personal touch that traditionally comes with handing a gratuity directly to the server after a brief conversation when settling the bill.

One thing is certain: if you’ve received excellent service and are able to leave a tip, it’s a gesture that is genuinely appreciated. Not only does it reward the people who helped make your experience enjoyable, but it also contributes to maintaining high standards of service and supporting the hospitality industry as a whole.