Tipping In Bahrain: Is It Expected Or Extra?

Tipping culture in Bahrain is a grey area. While some sources suggest that tipping is not mandatory, others suggest that it is customary to tip 10-15% in restaurants and cafes, depending on the level of service. In taxis, it is recommended to tip 10% if the driver uses the meter honestly. In hotels, it is standard to tip porters, with 69% of people tipping between 2-5 USD/EURO/GBP. However, it is not customary to tip taxi drivers. In general, tipping is appreciated but not expected, and it is acceptable to tip as much or as little as you want, depending on the service provided.

Tipping etiquette in restaurants

Tipping is not mandatory in Bahrain, but it is a common and welcome practice. In restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip of between 8% and 15% of the bill, depending on the level of service. This can be adjusted upwards for exceptional service or downwards if the service is poor. This is in addition to a 15% service charge that is often added to the bill, which usually goes to the restaurant owner rather than the waiting staff.

If you are happy to tip but don't want to do the math, a simple approach is to round up the bill to the nearest whole number and leave that amount, keeping the change as a tip. For example, if your bill comes to 3.700 BD, you can pay with 4.000 BD and tell the server to keep the change.

In smaller restaurants, tipping is less common, and in higher-class restaurants, a tip of 5% or less is usually sufficient. Ultimately, the decision to tip and how much to give is at your discretion.

Tipping taxi drivers

Tipping is a normal practice in Bahrain, and this includes tipping taxi drivers. While taxi drivers in Bahrain do not expect a tip, it is customary to tip them based on an 8-20% range of the total cost of the journey. This usually works out to be no less than 3-5 USD.

It is worth noting that while every taxi is supposed to use a meter, some drivers hide them or claim they are broken. In such cases, it is recommended to use official metered taxis. If a taxi driver is honest enough to put the meter on, a 10% tip would be appropriate.

Additionally, it is not expected that you tip for short journeys, but you can always round up to the next dinar and leave the change as a tip.

Tipping hotel staff

Tipping is a normal practice in Bahrain, and this includes tipping hotel staff. The currency of Bahrain is the Bahraini Dinar (BHD or BD), and tipping percentages are usually based on the level of service received.

The average tipping percentage for hotel staff is between 2-5 USD or BHD. It is common to tip bell staff and bell boys between 1-2 USD per bag, depending on the size of the luggage. For the courtesy shuttle driver, it is appropriate to tip 1-2 USD per person. For housekeeping staff, it is customary to tip 1-5 USD per day, and this should be left in a clearly marked envelope each morning as the room may be cleaned by different staff each day. For the valet, a tip of 4-5 USD is standard, and this can be given just once with a drop-off or pick-up, rather than every time you use the service.

It is worth noting that some hotels have no-tip policies, with the price of gratuities included in the bill. It is also good to carry a small stack of 1 USD bills to ensure you have the right money available when tipping, and to time your tip according to the type of service. For example, a lump sum at the end of a stay for repeated services, or an upfront tip for a one-time service.

When not to tip

Tipping is not mandatory in Bahrain, but it is a common practice. If you receive poor service, you may decide to give a lower tip or no tip at all. Here are some scenarios when you may choose not to tip:

• Poor or unsatisfactory service: If you receive poor service, it is understandable not to want to reward it with a tip. This includes situations where the service provider is rude, inattentive, or fails to meet basic expectations. However, use your discretion and consider whether there were mitigating circumstances, such as a busy day or staff shortages.
• Inclusion of a service charge: In Bahrain, many restaurants include a service charge of around 15% on the bill, in addition to a 5% government levy. This charge is often assumed to be a substitute for tipping, so you may choose not to leave an additional tip. However, it is worth noting that this service charge often goes to the restaurant owner rather than the waiting staff.
• Low-cost services: For services that are already very inexpensive, you may feel that the bill itself is adequate compensation and choose not to tip. This could include small purchases, cheap meals, or services that are already highly subsidised.
• Inadequate wages: In some cases, you may feel that the service provider's wages are insufficient, and tipping may inadvertently support an unfair wage system. While tipping is a personal choice, it is essential to recognise that many workers rely on tips to supplement their income.
• No exceptional service: Tipping is generally reserved for situations where you receive good to excellent service. If the service is merely adequate or fails to go above and beyond, you may choose not to tip. However, this is entirely at your discretion, and a small token of appreciation is always welcome.
• Rounding up the bill: In some cases, instead of calculating a specific percentage, you may choose to round up the bill and use the change as a tip. For example, if your bill is 3.700 BD, you can pay 4.000 BD and ask to keep the change as a tip. This method can be convenient and still show your appreciation without the need for an exact calculation.

Remember, these are just guidelines, and tipping practices can vary depending on cultural norms and personal preferences. Use your best judgment and be considerate of the service providers, especially those who may rely on tips to supplement their income.

How much to tip

Tipping is not mandatory in Bahrain, but it is a common and welcome practice. In restaurants, it is generally considered appropriate to tip between 8% and 15% of the bill, depending on the level of service. This can go above 15% if you received particularly good service and can be lowered or removed entirely if the service was poor. This is in addition to the standard service charge that many restaurants include in the bill, which is often taken by the restaurant owners instead of the waiting staff.

One easy way to tip in restaurants is to round up the bill. For example, if your meal costs 3.700 BD, you can pay with a 4.000 BD note and tell the server to keep the change as a tip. This is a common practice in Bahrain.

When it comes to taxis, it is standard practice to tip the driver around 10% of the fare if they have used the meter. If they have not, you may wish to consider whether the fare is reasonable before deciding on a tip amount. It is also good practice to tip taxi drivers who help you with your luggage.

In hotels, it is customary to tip porters around 2.00 USD/EURO/GBP per item of luggage, and other staff such as maids and doormen between 1-5 USD/EURO/GBP for their services.

In general, many workers in Bahrain are underpaid and will highly appreciate any tips you can give, even if it is just the small change from your bill or a smile and a kind word.

Frequently asked questions