Baksheesh

Tipping.

We've pretty much got it down in America. It's said that Chicagoans are the biggest tippers in the US. Regardless of what we know to tip or not (what, standard 20%?), as soon as we take off from O'Hare's Terminal 5, we're at a loss - at least I am. Sure, there may be standards, like tipping the bellman that brings your bags to your room. But the taxi driver? In some countries, yes. In some, not at all. The problem becomes, how do you know when - and who - to tip, and how much?

I recently read a fantastic tip (pun intended) in a travel magazine: As soon as you check in to your hotel, ask who will be cleaning your room, and tip well right up front on the first day. The author noted that even in a backpacker hostel, her room was always immaculate with fresh towels daily, where other guests didn't experience the same service. I'll have to remember this.

Who to tip varies wildly from country to country. When I'm not sure what to do, I spend a good part of my first day watching the subtleties: Watching people on the street - are they slipping anyone a bill? Hang out in a hotel lobby and watch the employee-guest relationship. Do your research first - I often pick up a Culture Shock (or similar) book so I know what I'm walking into. Visit a cafe and watch/listen to the people around you. At the very least, just ask a local next to you or someone at the hotel front desk what's proper. Obviously you're a tourist or you wouldn't be staying in their hotel in the first place (chances are).

Also, check out your local library. They may have some archived travel magazines on hand with plenty of articles about proper tipping etiquette around the world. In the US I wouldn't dare try to slip a $20 to the TSA agent that's patting me down at the airport, yet when walking through the "metal detector" outside the Egyptian Museum, a 5 pound note is much appreciated. Tipping a guard? Isn't that bribery? Not really, depends where you are. Again, watch the people in front of you. Watch some well-dressed locals to see how exactly they're pressing palms.

But also be careful for tipping "scams". Do you want to take a picture of a monument with someone of local attire in your picture? Be prepared to cough up a couple bills for the honor, as in someways it's not a tip, but a means of income.

Lastly, don't be too stingy, when it comes to tips or haggling over the cost of a homemade craft. Likely our US dollar is stronger than the local currency, so if you do the conversion in your head, what's another $0.30 out of your pocket? It's probably worth a lot more to whomever just lent you a helping hand.

Good luck, and I welcome your suggestions!