How much do Colombians normally tip at restaurants?

lpdiver says on Nov 15, 2006, 11:07:

zero My wife worked as a waitress and hairdresser for YEARS in Colombia and never received a tip.

tp

"cook some rice!"

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aztec says on Nov 15, 2006, 11:14:

Colombians... ...don't tip! If they do it is because they have been shamed into it.

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Gator says on Nov 15, 2006, 11:26:

Usually... the "better"restaurants add 10% for a tip. Most people leave the small change like 4/5 hundred pesos in the smaller "mom and pop"type places. Taxis no, bellman usually 1000 pesos per bag. We usually give the doorman 10.000 on checking-really improves service.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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arthur brode says on Nov 15, 2006, 11:41:

i usually leave 5% or 10% depending on how much i spend. Taxis nothing.i tip the bagboy at the supermarket,the guy that opens the door or carries the bags for me.to the delivery person.to street people no tengo.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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carlitos85 says on Nov 15, 2006, 12:10:

OK, but I am referring only to what local Colombians do, not U.S. citizens living or visiting in Colombia.

Rubito , no tips expected ???????
I find that about 80% already add it in.


What about those airport hombres who "help" you to the taxi, and sometimes open the door, even though the taxi is 20 feet away from the airport exit door and you really do not need them.

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fullpopper says on Nov 15, 2006, 12:30:

NO TIPPING PLEASE If you do not like coins in your pocket. Then leave it. But, do not get into a habit of tipping. When in Rome !

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ColombianoGringo says on Nov 15, 2006, 12:34:

If they include the tip, then that's all I give. Otherwise, I tip according to the level of service on the same scale as in the US (10-20%). Last time I was in Bogota, my novia and I were eating at a tiny little place in Chapinero. When I got up from the table, the waitress chased me down to give me "the money you left behind". I chuckled and told her it was her tip. She seemed a little confused.

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toneloc24 says on Nov 15, 2006, 12:36:

I've tried to observe local customs, including tipping. It's hit or miss, but generally miss on tipping. Few locals tip anything, and the overwhelming majority of those that do just leave the coins, or COP1.000 or 2.000, regardless of the bill.

The 10% thing generally exists in the nicer establishments. When service was better than normal, after paying the bill, I generally hit the server with an additional tip (maybe COP2.000 or 5.000, whichever is handier).

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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arthur brode says on Nov 15, 2006, 13:00:

carlito,why are you so worried about tipping?locals tip too. set a example and DONT BE SO FOKEN CHEAP!!!

http://www.calirentals.net/

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elmexicano says on Nov 15, 2006, 13:56:

tipping Really, If you are wondering about leaving a tip then just do it, don't be so cheap, in actuallity what is it costing you? I'm not saying to go out and just start handing money out either. Laterz'

marcos

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carlitos85 says on Nov 15, 2006, 14:10:

Question is not me, is more about what I notice about the Colombian people.

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johnarizona says on Nov 15, 2006, 14:35:

Wow sounds like I could have saved a small fortune, I gave 10-25 percent at resturants, tipped taxis etc...

I noticed that in Mexico too last weekend, I was looking for a 5 or 10 dollar bill for a tip on a bill of $50 worth of food and the Mex girl I was with, just grabbed 2 dollars worth of pesos and tossed it on the table.

Guess the locals don't tip in alot of situations people in the US normally do, and then dont worry about 10, 15 or 20 percent in restaurants thats for sure.

I like being a pretty big tipper but I may cut it down a bit next trip unless really great service, otherwise I guess you appear dumb, like when I wear my funky clothes sometimes.

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vicshere says on Nov 15, 2006, 16:38:

no tip I find if I am in a fancy place or in a touristy like the coastal area then the tips are almost always expected....but here in Bucaramanga I never tip neither does any of my Colombian friends

listo
"con mucho gusto"
Vic

listo

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rocinante says on Nov 15, 2006, 18:40:

keep the monedas! Carlitos - Rubito is 100% correct - you are probably eating in the restuarantes gringolandia when you are in colombia. I can speak for Medellín and he knows Bogotá.

"I find that about 80% already add it in."

Either I'm eating in the slums or your dining in the palaces of Colombia - I have only been to one jonit that added a tip and that was in Parque Lleras. You might want to head out of the tourist areas just to experience something different.

As a general rule of thumb round up to the nearest 500 or 1000 pesos for taxis and waiters if you must. If the cab is taking you between "normal barios" or if you are eating in "normal barios" there is really no tipping.

PS: other posters are correct as well about not tipping as the custom in CO. But Don gringo has a point too. A little is OK and goes a long way - sometimes too long.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Not that the US president actually runs the US." Feb 5, 2008

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goin_south says on Nov 15, 2006, 22:34:

Always thinking just a little bit deeper into potential... That is an excellent point, Rubito.
Now, that is what I call Full-Circle thinking;
I attempt to live my life like DG says:
Generosity will always come back to you.
But, then in this setting, or another place like Colombia, as Rubito says, possibly in a way you're not looking forward to.

“ I would rather be a conservative nut job rather than a liberal with no nuts and no job.” But, really what I am is a colombiana's sex slave; she took me by force, and I submitted ;-)

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aztec says on Nov 16, 2006, 05:08:

Remember, the question... ...was "How much do Colombians normally tip at restaurants?"

For many if not most of us we will leave a tip. My wife and I probably tip too much. But there are some establishments where it is expected. Such as Le Poivre, Gato Negro, Pajares Salinas, La Fragata, and Tramonti. If we are staying for some time at a particular hotel we tend to tip well. They know you and will respond much better to your desires and needs.

On the other hand, as someone here has alleged, you can over do it and get yourself into trouble. Plus there are those Colombians who believe you are being foolish and they tend to ridicule you for being over generous with the tip. For many of us it seems so little an amount but for the locals it can appear extravagant.

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bkcarolina says on Nov 16, 2006, 10:20:

Tipping needs to happen more often... Just because the people who work in service industries have had to survive with the most minimum of wages doesn't mean it should continue to be this way. With such high unemployment and such a high poverty rate, anything people who can afford it can do should be encouraged. Even if a restaurant adds 10% to a bill, if you can leave 2-4K pesos more, the person on the receiving end probably can make great use of it feeding a baby, paying a bus fare, etc.

As Colombia becomes more and more attractive as a tourist and international business destination, and more North Americans and Europeans spend more time and money here, one of the benefits will be to maybe marginally raise the standard of living of people who work in service jobs. And the country makes a little progress towards leaving the third world. Nothing wrong with that, and maybe this positive can offset some of the many negatives that are also going to accompany the increase in international visitors.

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skemper19 says on Nov 17, 2006, 15:38:

I tipped (too much my husband said) last time I was in Medellin, the lady who brought breakfast to our hotel room got a 10.000 tip, I calculated it based on what we would give here in the U.S ($5.0 +/-)...... well my hubby FREAKED out said I was being ridiculous. The food cost 15.000, I tipped 10.000. Same thing when I had a manicure and pedicure (it converted to $6.00 U.S.) I mean what a freaking deal! So who cares if I gave double as a tip????? My hubby just said no one really tips. I felt terrible everytime we left a restaurant and he paid and left nothing as tip..... I guess it's just so customary here because we all know servers don't get paid minimum wage here, but much, much less per hour. The same rules just don't apply there.. but DonGringo is right.... goodness always comes back to you in one form or another. So be nice, if you can afford it......

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Robert Jorge says on Nov 17, 2006, 22:10:

Nice post Strobers. I agree 100%. At all times, I tried to keep in the back of my mind that I am an ambassador of my country while I was living in Colombia. Simple kindness is often much more appreciated or "felt" than a huge tip.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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bkcarolina says on Dec 3, 2006, 15:48:

Rubito, I know a lot about economics since I have a degree in it, and a lot about logical thinking, which is where you need to study up. But go ahead and keep your 1-2K pesos for your own cheap ass and let the 50% of Colombians living in poverty with families to feed fend for themselves.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Dec 3, 2006, 15:56:

Minimum salary Colombia already has minimum wage laws, albeit very low ones. I don't think restaurant owners are going to exploit anyone any worse than they do now. Bear in mind that most Colombian restaurants are ALREADY charging you for the 10% "servicio" but hardly pass along 10% to their staffs.

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goin_south says on Dec 3, 2006, 17:12:

Carlitos85... Are you thinking of getting a job as waiter in Colombia?
I bet this thread has you 'thinking again', eh?
Not the best way to make a living in Colombia.
It seems to be much different than in the USA.
(of course, you at least are around food,...if a good restaurant, then 'good food'.) That is or might be at least one advantage of being a waiter/waitress in Colombia.

“ I would rather be a conservative nut job rather than a liberal with no nuts and no job.” But, really what I am is a colombiana's sex slave; she took me by force, and I submitted ;-)

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ninaadoptiva says on Dec 5, 2006, 07:49:

Note to self.... When you visit Colombia next year be sure to mind your manners, be kind, and aware. Random acts of kindness and empathy go much further than a overly generous tip, they may be misconstrued as "flashy", "snotty" or worse that I have a lot more where that came from. Tip accordingly and be kind always. Check Check. thanks!

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JVC says on Dec 6, 2006, 05:56:

Pay for what you get Nobody in the lower service industries in Colombia is earning much money - so if someone gives more than minimum effort for you, give them a bit of a tip. Somewhere between 500 and 5000 pesos will cover most situations. Eg: Yesterday, after filling up with petrol, I got my tire pressure checked. Gave the guy 2000 pesos because I figure 5 minutes crouching down in the sun and getting your hands greasy is worth the price of a beer. ps: I usually give more to people that don't look like they're expecting it....so that would rule out most Cartageneros!

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Cerealkiller says on Dec 6, 2006, 07:16:

I ALWAYS tip 10%. I really dont know which are the places in which you are not expected to tip. The only place I really refused to do so was Cafe del Mar in Cartagena and thats because I thought the service was crap, where do they get those stupid girls who know nothing about service? Honestly, if you go to Andres Carne de Res in Bogotá you will find the food is decent, the drinks are okay but the absolube best is the service, and that applies to most popular places...they dont have the nicest food but the service is usually great.
I never tip taxi drivers, and the people at hotels usually get 10k or something along those lines.
Id have to disagree with BK Carolina, if there is a boom in tourism chances are prices for everything will rise, hence the 1 or 2 extra thousand pesos you give away wont really make much of a difference. It might increase their income by x% but when compared to the real income increase and their real purchasing power I think they will be worse off...

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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cali373 says on Dec 6, 2006, 12:24:

Usually monedadas
Usually monedadas

Smile if you are a thinker!

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megustamuchisimo says on Dec 6, 2006, 16:40:

Pay a little for service to someone who needs it Part of the Colombian culture is for the priveleged few to abuse the rest. If you can relieve someone's situation a little, then why not??

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miamimike says on Dec 6, 2006, 18:22:

I notice the No (or very very little) Tip Concept Is Brought to Miami where Tips are the Norm. Many times here in Miami, I have observed a table full running a $50 bill or more and then leaving Nothing or maybe $2-$3 tip at most when it should be $10 or better. Waitress friends of mine tell me Latinos(as) are the cheapest tippers here in Miami. I guess Old Habits are hard to break!

On Sept 17, 2008: Senator John McCain said, as he had many times before, that he believed the fundamentals of the economy were "strong."Hours later he backpedaled, explaining that he had meant that American workers were Strong.

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Cerealkiller says on Dec 6, 2006, 19:07:

Strobers, I am in no way trying to introduce american tipping habits into Colombian society mainly because I am not American. I have been immerse in Colombian culture for 16 out of my 21 years and never in my life have I been to places in Colombia, with colombians in which people dont tip.
You are the one who is saying foreigners shouldnt try and come with their amrican habits yet youre tipping your cab driver 10k? I have never been drinking with my taxi driver or seding him Dvds of my trip...And i feel completely offended when I go to Cartagena pay my taxi fare and then they look at me and say "y la propina?"after they have charged you 6000 pesos from club de pesca to Santa Clara hotel which is about 2800... So I dont think its me who is trying to introduce ideas that dont fit in Colombian society.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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jay1234 says on Dec 6, 2006, 19:36:

strobers On the point of introducing American culture to Colombia...I think it is a train that will not stop. Sure, each country will retain their national "identity," and there will likely be parts that are untouched by MTV (ok, the old version that played videos), McDonald's and Deperate Housewives. But the US culture is displayed, pushed, all over the world. Try going to CinePlex sometime. What movies are played? My experience is 9 US release flicks and maybe one Colombian or Pedro Almodovar flick. Along with that comes a recognition/transference of culture. Not that I think all this means tipping will become the norm in Colombia. Just that I think its hard to keep Colombia "pristine" and unaffected by American ideas.
I never discount the idea that there are "precios especial para gringos." I have seen this in Colombia, as well as Honduras and Guatemala. It cracks me up when I go in a shop and get quoted like 24000 pesos for a pair of sandals, and then my Barranquillera girlfriend steps in the store and gets the same sandals for 8,000 pesos. I am not offended by this, it is supply and demand in effect. Still funny as hell.
Seems rude of the taxi driver to be all offended, especially after sharing tequilla. You'd think he would be grateful for the breakfast you bought his family. Does sound like the earlier folks spoiled him. From his point of view, I guess if he figured there would be a big tip, and he started counting on it, he might be disappointed when it didn't appear.

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