Visiting South Korea for business or leisure? Read our guide about who to tip in South Korea, when to tip - and how much to hand over. Then avoid any tipping missteps with our handy tip calculator. We’ll also cover how to save on currency exchange with Wise, so you can tip generously and still have more to spend on yourself!
Save with Wise when tipping in South Korea.
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Do you tip in South Korea?
It’s not a local practise to tip in South Korea. Unlike in many Western countries where tipping waiters, taxi drivers, and hotel staff is so common it’s almost automatic, in South Korea tipping can be considered rude. Tips may be turned down or cause embarrassment if they’re offered.
That said, there are still occasions when tipping may be appropriate. As a traveler visiting South Korea you’re likely to run into a few of these situations - so doing some advance research is a smart way to avoid cultural missteps. Read on for more about when to tip in South Korea.
Tipping in South Korea might not be customary, but you will still need some local currency to move freely around the country. For the best exchange rates, always use the Wise travel money card.
Tip in local currency with Wise South Korean won travel card.
No matter where you are, it makes sense to tip in local currency. Want to save money on currency exchange so you can tip generously and still have more to spend on yourself?
With the Wise South Korean won travel money card it’s easy to top up in your local currency, and switch to South Korean won whenever you need to pay for your day to day expenses in South Korea.
With Wise you’ll always get the real exchange rate with no hidden costs. There’s just a low, transparent conversion fee - and then it’s free to spend any currency you hold. Simply top up your card and convert to the currency you need in real time using the Wise app.
No matter where your adventures take you, Wise has you covered. Hold and spend 40+ currencies with the same card, make ATM withdrawals and manage your account on the go using the Wise app.
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Tipping in South Korea in restaurants & bars
Tipping in bars and restaurants is not expected in South Korea, unlike in most countries in Europe and in the United States. The general rule is the service should be exceptional at all times, and with no expectation of extra pay. Tipping in South Korea can be considered rude and frowned upon.
Unless you notice a tip jar, or you visit a venue that is clearly adhering to the Western standards - don’t tip. Thanking your server politely when you leave is all that’s expected.
Eating out in South Korea? You can save on currency conversion fees when paying with our Wise travel money card
Tipping in hotels in South Korea
It is not customary to tip in hotels in South Korea. Much like in restaurants in South Korea, you’ll find that hotel staff work with an unspoken rule of providing excellent service at no extra charge.
Unless you’re staying in a traditional South Korean style hotel, where hospitality and room-service is taken to another level you can refrain from tipping.
If you decide to tip, remember to do so gracefully to avoid any embarrassment. Prepare a clean envelope with South Korean wons banknotes and leave it for the hotel staff at the front desk when checking out.
Staying in a hotel in South Korea? You can save on currency conversion fees when checking out with our Wise travel money card.
Tipping taxi drivers in South Korea
Taxi drivers in South Korea won’t expect you to tip them, even when they help you with your luggage. As tipping taxi drivers in South Korea is not customary, trying to pay more than your agreed fare may cause confusion and embarrassment.
Don’t forget - if you’re using a regular taxi rather than a ride-hailing service like Uber, you’ll need to agree on the fare before your journey.
Hopping on a cab from the airport in South Korea? You can save on currency conversion fees when traveling with Wise travel money card
Tipping at a spa in South Korea
Time for a massage to soothe those weary muscles? Although in many places around the world it is appropriate to leave a small tip to your therapist, in South Korea there will be no such expectation.
Instead, be polite and respectful to the staff, and thank them at the end of the session. This acknowledgement will be appreciated more than a few South Korean wons.
Tipping tour guides in South Korea
Because tour guides and interpreters in South Korea work predominantly with foreign customers, tipping customs here may vary from the local norm. It’s now much more common for visitors to pay tips to tour guides to thank them for an exceptional experience. Your guide will understand it’s your own preference to tip, and won’t consider it a rude gesture.
Feel free to approach your tour guide at the end of the tour to reward them with a tip that feels right to you.
Going for a tour in South Korea? You can save on currency conversion fees when traveling with Wise travel money card
Tips for tipping in South Korea
- In South Korea tipping is not customary. If you insist on leaving a tip this may be seen as rude - and can cause acute embarrassment even if you think someone should be rewarded extra for their work. Instead, thank your hosts politely, and be respectful. In South Korea dignity always comes first!
Don’t insist on tipping
- If you decide it is appropriate to tip someone on your trip to South Korea it is important you do it in the local currency, that is in South Korean wons. This way you help your service providers avoid high fees on currency exchange.
Tip only in the local currency
- There are exceptions to every rule - and even in South Korea where tips are not commonplace, there may be some situations in which tipping is appropriate. If you think tipping will be expected, prepare ahead - withdraw some KRW from a local ATM, and put it into a clean envelope. Hand it over politely, as is culturally sensitive in South Korea.
Hand over money in an envelope
- Don’t get caught out in an embarrassing situation at a business dinner. As tipping etiquette varies by country, it’s important you familiarise yourself with international tipping standards, to avoid doubt and awkward moments!
Tipping on a business trip
Manage business multi-currency banking from your phone with Wise
Tipping in other countries:
Tipping in other countries:
Tipping in South Korea FAQ
Save on trip to South Korea with your Wise Travel Card
Tip and spend in local currency with Wise South Korean won travel card.
As an enthusiast with extensive knowledge of South Korean culture and etiquette, let's delve into the key concepts discussed in the article about tipping in South Korea.
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Local Tipping Customs: In South Korea, tipping is not a customary practice. Unlike Western countries where tipping is almost automatic, in South Korea, it can be considered rude. The article emphasizes that tips may be turned down or cause embarrassment if offered. It suggests that travelers need to be aware of specific situations where tipping might be appropriate and recommends doing advance research to avoid cultural missteps.
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Currency Exchange with Wise: The article introduces Wise, a financial service provider, as a solution for saving on currency exchange. It encourages readers to use the Wise travel money card for the best exchange rates. The Wise travel card allows users to top up in their local currency and convert to South Korean won when needed. The service boasts real exchange rates with no hidden costs, making it convenient for travelers to manage their expenses in South Korea.
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Tipping in Specific Scenarios:
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Restaurants & Bars: Tipping in restaurants and bars is not expected. The general rule is to appreciate exceptional service without the expectation of extra pay. The article advises against tipping unless there is a visible tip jar or the venue adheres to Western standards.
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Hotels: Similar to restaurants, tipping in hotels is not customary. Hotel staff are expected to provide excellent service without additional compensation. However, if one decides to tip, it suggests doing so gracefully to avoid embarrassment.
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Taxi Drivers: Tipping taxi drivers is not expected, and attempting to pay more than the agreed fare may cause confusion. The article recommends agreeing on the fare before the journey. Additionally, it suggests using the Wise travel money card to save on currency conversion fees.
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Spas: Unlike in many places worldwide, tipping is not expected at spas in South Korea. Politeness and respect towards the staff are more appreciated than leaving a tip in South Korean won.
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Tour Guides: Tipping customs for tour guides may vary from the local norm, as they often work with foreign customers. It's becoming more common for visitors to tip tour guides for exceptional experiences.
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Tips for Tipping in South Korea: The article provides some general tips:
- Don't insist on tipping: Insisting on tipping can be seen as rude. Politeness and respect are highlighted as essential in South Korean culture.
- Tip only in local currency: If tipping is deemed appropriate, it should be done in South Korean won to avoid high fees on currency exchange.
- Hand over money in an envelope: In situations where tipping is appropriate, it suggests preparing ahead, withdrawing local currency from an ATM, and handing it over in a clean envelope.
- Tipping on a business trip: Business travelers are advised to familiarize themselves with international tipping standards to avoid awkward situations during business dinners.
In conclusion, the article not only addresses the specific instances when tipping might be acceptable in South Korea but also provides practical tips and recommends using Wise for currency exchange to enhance the overall travel experience.
