Tipping in USD in Middle Eastern countries

[GillyDee]

Travelling to Bahrain and KSA next week – does anyone know if tips in USD are acceptable, please? Not talking taxis or local restaurants, but Hyatt/Hilton/FS drivers, porters etc.

Thanks

[GimmeMorePoints]

No problem, 100% acceptable

[Rob]

It’s not necessary. If it’s anything like the UAE / Qatar then everything you touch will have a 10% service charge added to it already. You’d be like that guy in the restaurant who adds something to the open ‘tip’ space when 15% service has been added already.

[Oviplokos1]

@Rob Is Service same as Tip? If yes, I was fooled by some waiters telling me it’s different things…

[Rob]

Oviplokos1 wrote:

@Rob Is Service same as Tip? If yes, I was fooled by some waiters telling me it’s different things…

Yes, as it is in UK restaurants (and some London hotels now).

[TGLoyalty]

mmm not sure its going to the actual person that provided the great service rather than split across the staff in whole restaurant/hotel

I usually give something extra in cash if they’ve gone above and beyond

[GillyDee]

How much of the “service” charge do staff get in ME hotels?
Not going the full tonto (aka Americans); just a few notes when service has been great.

[John]

You can also spend (or tip with) Saudi riyals in Bahrain, but not the other way