Tipping in a foreign land is always a conundrum. While it is not necessary in Japan or Korea, the custom is slowly taking hold in china in international-standard hotels frequented by foreigners.
Tipping in Hong Kong is a complex problem because you only tip certain services.
While is not customary to tip taxi drivers, they may take the liberty of rounding up the fare to the nearest dollar figure. Some however, will round the figure downwards and make you pay a few cents less than the actual fare.
You should also remember that there are road and tunnel charges, and HK$5 is charged for each piece of luggage put in the trunk.
Although most restaurants usually put on the bill a 10 percent service charge, this sum does not go to the waiting staff the restaurant keeps it. Therefore, it is customary to leave some tip on top of the 10 percent: even a small sum is appreciated.
Tip for waiting staff should be given in cash. Any extra amount put on the credit card payment will go to the restaurant and staff will not benefit.
The money should be given when paying the bill. Leaving money on the table customary in some European countries is not a nice way to tip here.
The situation is different in small restaurants and cha chaan teng, where you pay at a counter at the door. Here you are not expected to leave any tips.
At the hairdresser a tip of roughly HK$20 to $50 is expected by every person who took care of you, whether it is cutting, shampooing or coloring. All these employees usually line up at the door to say good bye to you in the hope of getting a tip, but some places have introduced boxes or envelopes with their employees’ names and you just put some money in at your own discretion and with no pressure.
Bellboys should also get about the same amount per luggage they help to take to the room and room service staff will also appreciate a little change, although it is not obligatory.