5 countries where tipping is considered rude

Tipping is one of the travelling rituals that many tourists bring with them to their vacation destinations all around the world. In countries like the USA or India, giving some extra change in return for good services is something natural, but following the same principles in different parts of the world might be quite embarrassing.
It depends on the particular country's traditions whether tipping is welcome there or not. For example, tipping can be already accounted for in prices; some people will give you great service out of sheer dedication, while receiving any tip will be considered an insult.
Below are listed five countries where you won't need to leave any extra cash when ordering food or receiving other kinds of services.

Japan is definitely the most famous example of a nation that discourages tipping. Be it your visit to a local ramen restaurant, riding in a taxi, or staying in a ryokan, good service is considered an essential aspect of your experience without deserving any extra pay. Not only does leaving some cash behind lead to misunderstandings but even following you to return the money is not unheard of in Japan. Professionalism and being proud of what you do define the notion of hospitality in Japan.

Tipping has never really been an ingrained part of South Korean culture. In the majority of local dining outlets, cafes, taxi rides, and beauty salons, it suffices for people to just pay according to the receipt presented to them. While luxury hotels and other businesses that target foreigners may accept tips on occasions, tipping is generally not expected of the locals. In certain cases, giving something extra as a tip may cause discomfort among workers because it could mean that they are underpaid for their services.

For quite a long time now, tipping was considered a non-native practice in China. Major international hotels and other upscale businesses targeting foreigners in big cities may have got used to the practice; however, it is quite rare among regular dining places, taxis, and even local businesses. It is expected that people pay exactly as much as they owe for goods or services received. In case they try leaving more money, the extra amount may be politely turned down.

Service etiquette in Singapore is characterized by efficiency and honesty. In most restaurants, a service charge of about 10% is included in the total bill together with the relevant tax. At hawker centers, food courts, and casual restaurants, no tip is required. In addition, cab drivers do not expect any tips beyond the cost of the ride. Although a little gratuity may be accepted by staff members at times, foreign visitors should note that service has already been paid for in many cases.

In Denmark, employees in the hospitality industry receive relatively fair wages compared to many other parts of the world. Tipping is therefore not compulsory in Denmark and people are not necessarily required to tip their servers unless the service rendered is outstanding. It would look quite odd to leave a large tip since equality and simplicity characterize life in Denmark.