Before a trip to an unfamiliar country, research your destination ahead of time to find out what is considered an appropriate tipping amount.

When dining in the United States, a 15-20% tip is customary for restaurants offering traditional table service. Many younger people in the States actually tip 20% on a regular basis. On the other hand — in certain cities like Miami some restaurants will automatically add gratuity onto the bill — it totally depends on the venue, but I have seen quite a bit in South Beach at casual dining spots.

Anywhere in the States, for large parties of 6-8+ people dining in a restaurant, 18-20% is often automatically added onto the check.

It is a good idea to do the following –

Know the standard amount to tip at restaurants ahead of time (based upon the country you are visiting).

Avoid tipping twice by checking your bill thoroughly prior to applying gratuity.

　                                                                                            Photo by emdot