Tipping Guide: How Much to Give Hairstylists, Waiters, Porters, and More

There are plenty of factors you should consider when tipping in the Philippines — the quality of service, the location, your budget, and how keen you are with the business. Once you’ve figured these out, consult this handy guide to see how much people from the service industry expect from you.

After relaxing with a manicure at the end of a long week, you notice your nail technician is putting in extra effort in buffing and cleaning your nail beds. As you reach for your wallet—carefully, as not to ruin the polish—you pause to consider just how much you should tip. Is there a standard amount? Do you follow a percentage rule? 

SALONS

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Hairstylist: P100 and up

Creative Director: P100 or gifts

In Manila, percentage tipping is not applicable to the price of your service, says Lourd Ramos of Creations by Lourd Ramos salon. Clients normally do “direct-hand tipping any amount they want to give.” Their thanks need not be in monetary form, as Ramos says sometimes his customers send him gifts. Jude Hipolito and Rose Velasco of JURO Salon Exclusif concur. They say they regularly receive gratuities in kind, such as food and other gift items. Hipolito says though that tipping is not compulsory nor obligatory.

NAIL SALONS

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Nail technicians: P50 to  P100

As a nail salon owner, Monica Hing of Organail suggests you shell out at least P50 per technician when you are satisfied with the service. Anything over a hundred might be too much.

RESTAURANTS

Restaurants: 10 percent of the bill

Should you give an additional tip when service charge has already been added? Maita Quesada of the Moment Group says "yes." She sees how grueling and thankless it can be behind the scenes in a kitchen, which is why she says she always given tips regardless of a service charge. The exception: When she encounters service that does not meet expectations. The public relations head believes there is no standard amount when it comes to tipping. She suggests you factor in your total experience, your capacity, the amount of service charge, and the total bill.

HOTELS

Valets: 10 percent of the bill

Bellboys/Porters: P100

A general rule is to always tip those most helpful to you—from the porter who brings your bag to your room to the exceptional concierge that books you a table at the restaurant everyone’s been raving about.

UBER

Uber drivers: No tips expected

Head of communications Cat Avelino speaks for the transportation company when she says that tipping is not expected from riders. “Riders typically rate the quality of their trip using a five-star system on the app,” she says. However, tipping is certainly not out of the question. “If a rider wishes to tip a driver for outstanding service, we certainly don’t discourage it,” she says.