Tipping & Etiquette While Visiting Indonesia

Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours, Singapore: Tipping & Etiquette While Visiting Indonesia

Major hotels:  Lots of hotels services include a 21% tax. 10% is a compulsory government tax; the other 11% is a lawfully unenforceable service charge. Tipping is not required. But, if you must tip, maybe give 5-10% of the total bill. 

Restaurants: There are restaurants will comprise 5-10% service charge to their bill. However if they don't impose any service charge, you can tip between Rp10,000 to 10% of the full bill. A 10% Government required restaurant tax is valid, but smaller restaurants and definitely warungs will not be charging that and would possibly never pay it to the government if they did.

Taxi drivers: Tipping is not obligatory and you shouldn’t be hearing complaints from them. While all taxis are metered, some drivers oftentimes do not carry either coins or small notes, or may not be able to find them when needed but a lot of commuters round up their bill instead.

Car-hire drivers: It is not needed; but if service is pleasing a basic Rp 20,000 tip is estimated suitable but a full day Car-hire drivers commonly expect a larger tip. Warning, watch out for scams in this country

Airport porters: You don't have to get their help, however for very minimum amount of money they can be a big help particularly going through customs and it makes a difference to them. It varies from Rp. 20.000 - Rp. 50.0000 for 1-2 travelers. It is advisable to approve rate in advance to avoid arguments and complaints afterwards.

Service industries: Even though it is not required to give tip for services like hair salons and body massage, tipping for service industries are normal and anticipated in Indonesia. Many Indonesians give tip to their hairdresser or massaeur after they finished the service. 5-10% from the bills is suitable.

In Bali compare to Jakarta the minimal salary is reasonably low and that is the reason why everything looks comparatively inexpensive to many visitors. Workers expect tips to get extra income. In Bali, in small hotels and restaurants tips are usually shared. Yet, if you really have no money to tip, most Indonesians will understand it. Try to sympathize concerning their low pay rates; this also relates to those of you travelling on a budget. Given that, if ever you get short of cash and don't give tip or if you overlook to bring cash for attendants, it is unlikely somebody will get distraught or be nasty toward you.