In mainland China and Macau tipping is not a part of the culture, and many establishments have a strict no-tipping policy. This includes almost all restaurants and services such as beauty treatments. It’s actually against the law for taxi drivers to accept tips in most areas.
Offering a tip may sometimes even be considered impolite – it can be taken to imply that an employee’s work is undervalued by the employer.
The only place where a tip might be expected is at high-end hotels and restaurants in tourist areas that cater specially for westerners.
Sometimes you can offer a small gift instead of a tip!
The big exception to the general rule is the tipping of tour guides and drivers who depend on the extra income to supplement their wages. Guides may expect $10 per day per person, and drivers $5.
In Hong Kong, western ways are more prevalent and there’s usually a 10-15 percent service charge in restaurants, tipping is welcomed and taxi drivers expect to “keep the change.”
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