Exploring the large cities and enjoying the amazing food South Korea has to offer is sure to be a highlight of any trip to the country.
If you’re from a country that normally tips in restaurants, taxis, and for other services, you’ll naturally wonder whether or not you have to tip for these services in South Korea.
Recommended Read: Do People Speak English in South Korea?
The answer is no, you do not have to tip when you go to restaurants, take a taxi, or enjoy any other service in South Korea. There is no expectation from the businesses or employees that you leave a tip for their services. Their prices and wages reflect the amount they want for their services and therefore don’t expect any additional money.
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Do you have to leave a tip in restaurants, taxis, and for other services in South Korea?
Tipping is part of many cultures around the world, namely the United States, but it is not a custom in South Korean culture.
You are not expected to leave a tip when you visit a restaurant, take a taxi, or enjoy any other service in South Korea. Unlike some countries, no businesses in South Korea rely on getting tips from customers to pay their costs and wages.
Korean businesses that deal with a lot of foreigners will be more open to accepting tips, and some will gladly accept them. However, they still do not expect customers to tip.
Others will be confused and maybe even a bit offended if you try to leave a tip, as they are unfamiliar with the concept.
If you want to play it safe and not create any potential confusion, just pay the amount you’re charged and don’t leave any tips. They’re just happy that you chose their service.
I have personally heard stories of older Korean people related to someone I know tipping the employees of the restaurants they’ve gone to and supported their whole lives. But I was also told that such a case is very rare among Korean people.
Even though these people had gone to the restaurants for many years, so the employees knew them, the employees were very reluctant to accept the tips and only really accepted them when the tips were “forced” onto them.
That’s all you need to know about tipping in South Korea!
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