NEW YORK, July 31 — For some travellers, it’s the most stressful part of the holiday — the bill arrives, you pay, but how much should you leave for the frankly unexceptional service you’ve received?

In Europe, probably nothing, according to a guide published by air fare search site Cheapflights.com this week.

Service is always included in France, for instance, while many restaurants in the UK and Ireland will include a service charge whether you like it or not and even in Italy, Spain or Portugal, tipping is not expected unless the service is exceptional.

However, across the pond it’s a different world, says Cheapflights.com, with tips standard in Canada and “expected” in the US — 20 per cent for a meal, US$1 (RM3.20) per drink in a bar and US$5 for a hotel concierge who offers information.

In Asia, tips aren’t necessary in China, Japan or Singapore, but will be appreciated in Hong Kong, Manila and Bangkok.

In most parts of the Middle East, South America and Africa, tipping is customary, although generally for less than in North America.

Earlier this year, a TripAdvisor survey found that 80 per cent of Spaniards said that they do not always tip on holiday, followed by 78 per cent of Italians, 76 per cent of French and 57 per cent of Britons.

Perhaps this is down to the lack of research on tipping; if in doubt, adding 10 per cent is probably the course of action least likely to cause offence or embarrassment. — Relaxnews