Three quarters of Brits admit they’re baffled by tipping culture in the United States, according to new research marking the start of the summer of football in North America.
The figures from Tesco Travel Money show 74% of UK adults, around 40 million people nationwide, are confused about how tipping works across the pond.
With tens of thousands of England and Scotland supporters expected to make the trip, money experts are urging fans to prepare in advance to avoid any embarrassing financial faux pas.
The warning comes after the research revealed 31% of Brits have overtipped abroad to avoid awkwardness and that just three in ten (30%) feel completely confident about how much to tip while travelling.
The confusion appears to stem from perceptions of American tipping habits, with just one in five (20%) thinking they tip the right amount or too little.
The findings also revealed that two thirds (65%) say US tipping culture pressures tourists into taking extra travel money with them and spending more than they would like, while 40% have felt pressured into leaving a bigger tip by restaurant waiting staff abroad.
As a result of this widespread bemusement, one in five Brits abroad (20%) admit Googling how much to tip while on holiday while nearly one in ten (8%) don’t tip at all.
With many Brits still unsure about tipping etiquette abroad, Tesco Travel Money is encouraging travellers to prepare before they fly to avoid unnecessary stress and awkward holiday moments.
Ban Mahsoub at Tesco Travel Money, said: “Tipping abroad can feel surprisingly awkward, especially when you’re navigating different customs, unfamiliar currency or a card machine asking for a tip on the spot.
“Our advice is to do a little prep before you travel: check local tipping etiquette, sort your travel money in advance, and carry a mix of card and cash for taxis, tips, markets, small purchases and places where cards may not be accepted.
“For those travelling to the host countries of this summer’s football tournament, the tipping culture can vary - from around 18–20% in US restaurants, to 15–20% in Canada, and often 10–15% in Mexico, so it’s worth checking before you go.
“Taking smaller notes can also help avoid awkward moments when you want to tip or pay locally. A little planning goes a long way, leaving travellers free to focus on the holiday, not the maths at the table.”
Tesco Travel Money’s top five tips for tipping while overseas:
- Sort your travel money before you leave
- Check local tipping customs before you travel
- Carry smaller notes and coins
- Check whether a service charge is already included
- Bring back your leftover cash
See the Tesco tipper test video to see how you'd do Here
Tesco Travel Money, provided by Travelex, offers a simple and convenient way for travellers to get holiday-ready, with foreign currency available at over 300 bureaus or purchased online for in-store pick up or home delivery.
Customers can choose from a wide range of currencies and secure their travel money before departure, helping them stay prepared for everything from everyday purchases to tips and taxis abroad.
For more information, visit https://www.tescotravelmoney.com/guides/tipping-abroad/?cmpid=seo/acq/tm/na/na/na/Press-Release-Week-15
