Your guide to tipping in Dubai
Wondering about whether you should tip or not in Dubai? The tipping system is an essential part of the hospitality culture in many countries. But how should you go about tipping when visiting a multicultural place like Dubai? If you want to know more about the tipping protocol in the emirate, here is a handy guide to some of the general protocols when it comes to tipping in Dubai to address any concerns that you might have.
YOUR GUIDE TO TIPPING IN DUBAI
Tourists, visitors and people who move to the emirate usually have two basic questions when it comes to leaving tips at restaurants, cafes, salons and more.
One of the first questions that people commonly ask is: do you tip in Dubai? It’s a fairly common custom to tip restaurant servers, delivery persons, valet drivers and salon staff to appreciate their good service, but there is no set system, rule or percentage when it comes to tipping in Dubai.
The second question that people are generally curious about is how much you should tip in Dubai. Unlike some of the European countries where there are set percentages for tipping service provides, there is no hard and fast rule in Dubai.
It usually depends on the activity, the service quality and your own experience and personal circumstances. Here’s a quick overview of tipping etiquette in Dubai, but it’s also important to remember that the final amount you leave as a tip is entirely up to your discretion.
RESTAURANT STAFF
Giving tips in Dubai restaurants is a nice way to show gratitude for your service. Typically, the norm when it comes to tipping at restaurants and eateries in Dubai is to give an amount equivalent to 10% to 15% of your total bill as per the information provided on the Visit Dubai website.
DELIVERY PERSONS
If you order food at home, the typical protocol for delivery tipping in Dubai is that you hand over the spare change from your payment. For example, if the total bill is AED 191, you can pay AED 200 to the delivery person. If the payment has been made online, you can tip the delivery person in cash. Many of the delivery services like Zomato and Careem also allow you to tip your delivery agent online if you would prefer to go cashless.
BAG PACKERS
Bag packers at supermarkets are often requested to carry the bags and place them in the car. If you decide to opt for the same, it’s recommended that you tip the supermarket staff. The amount depends on how generous you are feeling and how much work has been put in. It’s fairly common to tip these helpful supermarket staff AED 5 or 10.
HOTEL STAFF
It’s a well-established custom the world over to offer tips to hotel staff for their professional courtesy and attention to detail. Most guests offer tips of AED 10 to AED 20 when they are assisted by the hotel staff, but this is totally up to your discretion.
VALETS
Similarly, valet drivers will be happy to receive a tip for their service. A tip of AED 5 to AED 10 is generally the norm in Dubai.
TAXI DRIVERS
When you book a RTA taxi in Dubai, you can expect fast, reliable and efficient services and more importantly, are a huge convenience for tourists and visitors. Generally, passengers pay an additional AED 5 or AED 10 to the driver if they have been particularly helpful or simply round the fare to the nearest note.
SPAS, SALONS AND HAIDRESSERS
Should I tip my nail technician or hairdresser? Tipping staff in salons and spas in Dubai depends on the treatment and how satisfied you are with the results. If you visit any of the nail salons in Dubai for just a simple manicure, a tip of AED 5 to AED 10 is considered acceptable as per Visit Dubai. For relaxing massages and other luxurious spa treatments, rewarding an equivalent of 10% of the total bill is the general norm.
TOUR GUIDES
Generally, tour guides in Dubai don’t expect to receive tips. But if you are feeling generous, you can tip them amounts of AED 5, AED 10 or AED 20 depending on your experience.
This completes our guide to understanding the tipping culture in Dubai. Remember, tipping in Dubai is a custom and is not mandatory. The amount you pay depends on the service quality and how much you appreciate the staff for doing excellent work. For example, if you visit a family restaurant in Dubai, and the staff goes out of the way to facilitate your family, giving a generous tip is a good way to show your appreciation.
Besides tipping, there are other ways you can thank people for excellent service. Most service providers including spas, salons, home maintenance companies and supermarkets have an online presence. So, leaving them a positive review on social media is really appreciated.
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