Africa is quite the opposite when going on holiday.
Especially Safari agencies/lodges provide the guests with a note about how much every guide, driver, lodge, etc should be tipped. And it ain't small money! We're talking 20$ per couple per night spent at a lodge. 15$ per couple per day to driver/guide...
So basically, the company/lodge owners rely on the tourists to pay the employees' salaries in tips.
This is because of a history of primarily Americans going to these countries and normalising tipping culture. Especially because what seems like a small amount to someone from the US can be significant to local people. Distorted the economy around tourism.
It really, really bothers me and I find it so rude!
I am inclined to just tip whatever I feel comfortable but I guess then it wouldn't be fair towards the staff that depends on our tips.
I mean, I would never ever tip these sums anywhere else.
Last time we went on a safari, we spent 1500$ on tips alone. That's insane
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u/Madrugada2010 Aug 28 '24 edited Aug 28 '24
I lived in South Korea for two years, and here's the rule of tipping - there isn't any.
Leaving a tip is an insult because it means your boss doesn't pay you enough. It's "face loss" to both the employer and the staff.
I like that way better.