Bali, known for its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality, has become a sought-after destination for travelers seeking an enchanting experience. As you immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Balinese life, one aspect that adds to the gracious charm of this island is the tradition of tipping. Navigating the etiquette of tipping in Bali can enhance your overall experience and leave a positive impact on the local community. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, understanding some easy tips and tricks for tipping in Bali can ensure that your gestures of gratitude resonate in a meaningful way. In this guide, we’ll explore the nuances of tipping in Bali, shedding light on customs and practices that will not only enrich your journey but also contribute to the spirit of mutual respect and appreciation.
Tip are money given by consumers to service providers in addition to the price paid. The amount of tip given generally shows how satisfied the consumer is with the service provided. You can give this tip at restaurants, hotels (for example Bali Hotels), or to the driver.
a. Guide to Giving Tips in Bali Restaurants
You can give tips when you eat at a restaurant. Before giving a tip at this Balinese restaurant, there are 3 things you need to understand so that the tip you have given can be well received by the right person.
1. Check Whether the Service Fee has been included in the Bill or Not
First, you need to check whether the service fee is included in the bill or not. Some restaurants in Bali generally charge 5% to 10% for service fees on the bill. You can check it when the bill comes. If the bill is included in the service fee, you actually have no obligation to tip again.
However, if you want to tip again, that is not a problem. As long as there are no rules prohibiting tipping at the restaurant. If there are rules prohibiting tipping but you force the waiter to accept it, maybe they will be punished by their superiors.
2. Nominal Amount of Tip at Restaurants
The size of the nominal tip is generally determined by the rating and service of the restaurant. So, there is no definite amount for giving this tip. As an illustration, you can tip a restaurant waiter at a minimum starting from IDR 10,000 or $0.64 (USD).
You can also give around 10% to 15% of the total bill. However, if you are eating at a luxury restaurant with a high rating, of course, the nominal tip can be even bigger.
3. Avoid Giving Tips in Crowds
Some restaurant waiters will be reluctant to accept tips in a crowd. Especially in front of their superiors. So, they may immediately reject the tip. Not only that, if you give a tip to a waiter and another waiter is watching, then the other waiter could feel jealous and make the relationship between the two bad.
To avoid all these things, you should wait for the right time to give a tip. For example, when you leave a restaurant and shake hands with the waiter you are going to give a tip to, or when the waiter gives you change.
b. Guide to Giving Tips at Bali Hotels
Not only in restaurants, you can also give tips at Bali Accommodations, especially Bali Hotels. Tips can be a very valuable thing for housekeeping staff. Here is a tipping guide.
1. Tip Amount
In fact, there are no definite rules or calculations regarding the amount of tipping. However, you can give a tip of around IDR 20,000 or $1.29 (USD) to IDR 50,000 or $3.23 (USD). It could also be more, depending on the services provided or the rating of the hotel where you stay.
However, the most important thing is that you should know the number of people who clean your room. This is because when cleaning 1 room, it will not only be done by 1 person, perhaps around 2 to 3 housekeeping staff or more will do the cleaning in a room.
2. Know the Right Place
One of the obstacles experienced by someone when giving tips to housekeeping staff is conflicting meeting times. When the housekeeping staff came to clean the room, a guest had already gone for a walk outside the hotel. As a result, tips are not given.
For those of you who want to give, you can leave it in the right places. Among them, are on the pillow, under the pillow, or under the telephone. Apart from that, do not forget to include a small note as a thank you.
3. Give a Tip on the Same Day
Many people think that the best time to give tips to housekeeping staff is on the last day of your stay. This is a mistake made by almost all people.
Cleaning of the room you are staying in may be done by different staff every day. Housekeeping staff generally have different schedules every day. So, you must leave a tip on the same day so that the tip goes to the person you want to give it to.
4. Tip for Extra Services
When staying overnight, sometimes you need special items, such as extra pillows. Generally, housekeeping is the one who helps you pick up these items. This is certainly extra tiring work for housekeeping.
Moreover, the items you need have a heavy load, such as the luggage rack or the double bed. As a thank you, you can give them a tip directly while saying thank you.
c. Guide to Tipping for Drivers
In Bali, you will find 2 types of drivers. First, taxi drivers usually serve trips to 1 destination. The tip is between 10% to 15% of the total final bill. Second, tour driver for full-day tours. Generally around IDR 50,000 or $3.23 (USD). Here are tips and tricks for giving tips to drivers.
1. Prepare the Right Money
For whoever you want to give a tip, you must prepare the exact amount of money according to the tip amount that will be given. It is very bad if you give a large tip but ask for change afterward.
Therefore, it is important to prepare for small change or change before traveling. You can exchange some large bills for small changes before starting the tour.
2. Leave a Tip at the End of Service
You should give tips after the end of the service or when you and the driver part ways. During the trip, you can first assess whether the driver is driving well or not. That way, you will certainly be more serious in determining what amount should be given.
However, sometimes there are traffic jams on several routes in Bali. Your time may be delayed for a few minutes. This is certainly not the driver’s fault. So, you should still consider giving a tip because driving on congested roads is also very tiring.
So, for every service you receive, whether from restaurant waiters, hotels, to drivers, you can give some tips to appreciate their work and efforts. However, there are also ethics in how you give it so that it is right on target, they are willing to accept it, and are not offended.
