Tipping is essential a gesture of appreciation for services rendered, but for many in the services industry, these tips form an integral part of total earnings. The culture of providing such incentives tend to vary for each country with some like the United States requiring mandatory tips at restaurants, while others like Bangkok having no official or unofficial rules. The etiquette even varies within the country with some parts of the UAE such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi featuring large expatriate populations with differing ideas about how much to leave on the table. Furthermore, some establishments have strict rules regarding tipping and there have been instances when employees have been let go for accepting tips from customers. Following are some must know ground rules regarding these monetary incentives in the UAE if one is boarding flights arriving in this Middle Eastern destination.
In some countries, it might be mandatory to tip taxi drivers, but not in the UAE. However those disembarking flights in the UAE should follow the accepted practice of rounding the fare to the nearest Dhs5. This is of course discretionary and in many cases travellers have only paid the basic fare because of reasons such as rash driving.
Petrol pump attendants, parking valets, hotel bellhops and shopping packers are some of the other service providers who come in contact with holidaymakers disembarking flights in the country. Usually loose change or smaller notes are sufficient to ensure service with a smile the next time one visits. In case of beauty therapists and hairdressers, it is acceptable to add a Dhs10 note as a gratitude for the job well done.
Eating out at one of the local establishments specializing in ethnic cuisine is among the favourites of those booking their passage on-board international flights to United Arab Emirates. In most establishments, a 10% service tax is added to the bill amount, which is supposed distributed among the staff periodically. However, in some instances, it has been alleged that this amount has never made it to the pockets of those who actually deserved it. It is thus advisable that one provides the tip in cash to the deserving party and the amount range from 10% to 15% of the total cost of the meal.
