Africa
In South Africa and Kenya—especially the most posh spots—there’s usually a 10 percent service charge automatically included on restaurant bills. Former British outposts don’t find the custom totally foreign, so especially helpful hotel porters or taxi drivers will appreciate the gesture.

I traveled through Tanzania last year, and tips were pretty uncommon there—at least outside of the main tourist traps. When I did hit those travel hot spots, I noticed a lot more people holding their hands out for tips, from taxi drivers to souvenir pushers. When you’re from somewhere where a huge beer costs less than a dollar, leaving a little extra isn’t too big of a stress on the bank account. I also brought gifts, like American t-shirts, gloves, and sweaters, and gave those to tour guides and hotel staff at the end of the trip, which were a huge hit.

If you’re set on showing your thanks somehow, bring a few gifts, like t-shirts and baseball caps, from the U.S. and leave them in your room for maids or tour guides.

Middle East
“Customs vary a lot depending on what country you’re in, so definitely look into the specific place that you’re headed to,” says Maya Moussavi, a former medical volunteer in Lebanon. Headed to Istanbul? Tipping isn’t required—and is usually tacked on to restaurant bills. Israel? Ten percent is customary and expected. Dubai taxi drivers don’t expect anything, but valets and porters do. If you’re lucky enough to be headed to the Middle East, check out this breakdown courtesy of concierge.com before you hop on that long flight.

Australia and New Zealand
I traveled to New Zealand last year, and before I left, I read and reread the paragraph in my Frommer’s guide that urged travelers not to tip. I thought it was just too good to be true, so I asked a few hotel concierges along the way and they confirmed it: In a country where employees are paid more—and it’s never been part of their culture—they don’t expect or depend on tips. I tipped just once in my two weeks there, handing some change to an especially helpful concierge at the end of my trip, and he looked like he was about to fall over in shock.

Australia’s not quite so unaccustomed to the art of gratuity, but it’s still a far cry from the States. “Tipping’s not necessary because minimum wage there is a lot higher than it is in the U.S.,” says Bryan Silverman, a Californian who lived in Australia for the past two years. “Usually people just round up to the nearest five-dollar on the bill.”

Africa
In South Africa and Kenya—especially the most posh spots—there’s usually a 10 percent service charge automatically included on restaurant bills. Former British outposts don’t find the custom totally foreign, so especially helpful hotel porters or taxi drivers will appreciate the gesture.

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