Tipping Practices of Chinese Tourists in U.S. Restaurants: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Tipping behavior and practice vary between cultures and countries. Restaurant tipping is considered as a social norm in the U.S.A. Restaurant patrons, especially foreign tourists, experience social pressure to add a gratuity to the restaurant bill while dining in the U.S.A. Survey was adopted in this study to examine the tipping practices and reasons of tipping of mainland Chinese tourists. Tourists from mainland China who visit America are aware of the tipping practices at local restaurants, although tipping is not a custom when dining in China. Mainland Chinese tourists tip because of the social norms as well as the service/food, but the tipping percentage is far less than the expected fifteen to twenty percent. Service is one of the factors that affect tip size. The total restaurant bill is another tipping predictor. The food and restaurant, menu price, and peer influence affect the tips as well. Practical implications are recommended.

Perceptions and Practice of Tipping Amongst Domestic Tourists in Zimbabwe

“…Next time I use their service again I will be treated differently". The findings are in line with Lee & Dewald, (2016) and Jahan, ( 2018) who identified the need to have better service in the future, companion, food quality and level of service as motivating Chinese tourist to tip in American restaurants.…”

“…Tips are given as a kind of assistance to low income earners, as means to express generosity, and expression of superiority (Azar, 2010). The need to have better service in the future, companionship, food quality and level of service are some of the reason why Chinese tourist tip in American restaurants (Lee & Dewald, 2016, Jahan, 2018. According to Shatnawi, et al, (2019) in Jordan restaurants food quality and service quality are the most important reasons creating tipping intentions, older age groups and the groups that had regular visits to restaurants had more intents to pay tips.…”