[jaetee]

What is the proper gratuity for services such as haircuts and facials? Is it 20% like in the US or the UK, or is the more/less?

[PDLM]

My barber has a list price of $73 for a haircut. I tend to give him $80 and he seems very happy with that.

[discobay]

In general a rounding up as suggested by PDLM is acceptable. However, most locals don't leave a tip for taxi rides. The driver does not expect one as he counts the exact change and dumps the load into your open palm without hesitation.
When paying for a dinner bill I never tip at fast food establishments and that is acceptable. However, I do tip at the nicer eateries but usually only a rounding up when a 10% service charge has been included. If not then I pay the 10% but less if the service/food was poor.

[Laughing_Monkey]

Originally Posted by jaetee

What is the proper gratuity for services such as haircuts and facials? Is it 20% like in the US or the UK, or is the more/less?

your meant to to tip the hairdresser? opps!

[discobay]

On one visit to a barbers' salon I was charged $67 and on leaving a tip I thought $3 was too small so rounded it up to $80. It was only later that I realised that I had a 20% tip!

[Valencia1]

In barber shops, they usually include $5+ for the conditioner, you may tip for $5. For restaurants, I usually tip 5%, since most include a 10% service charge already. If I'm paying by credit card, I write the exact number of the receipt and tip with small changes, only in this way will the tips go to the waiters. Tipping is not expected in most shops and services, including facials. However, do tip during the first week of Chinese New Year since most people expect a lai see of $10 to $20, especially the cleaning man and doormen at your building.

[kirlex]

I have been told by some locals to not to tip. When I first came here I found it hard to not tip (I felt cheap), however now I am used to it and it is great! Besides, most restaurants have a 10% service charge included, so why give anymore?

[jaetee]

Wow, I have been overtipping big time. I have been tipping 5 - 10% on top of the total charges at restaurants, and have been leaving 10-15% tips at the salon. Thanks for the advice!

[eddie7]

Tipping has become less of a big deal in HK ever since the Asian Economy Collapse of the late 90's

before that, ppl would tip an extra 10% on top of the 10% service
cabbies would get 5 dollars tip or so...
doormen at the nicer hotels (and even yung kee) would always get tipped..

since then, times have changed now

Typical locals (like myself) would do as such:


if bill was $753 at restaurant, round up would be to the tens column (760)

cabbies do NOT get tipped

doormen dont as well

barbers probably get a rounding... $95 dollar haircut, 100 is fine

Tipping in Asia is much different than in Europe/Aus/N.America

in canada, a 10% tip is almost considered an insult...

and cabbies always get tipped...


An extra note:

NEVER tip in china unless service is great, because they do not expect it... last time i was in shanghai, we left a tip of 10% on our bill.. the waiters didnt even know what to do with it... we told them it was their tip, and they were shocked or something...

[sylvesterjay]

What's the deal with this bogus "service charge" bs anyway?

Isn't the whole point of paying the listed price, to obtain the service in the first place!