Tipping in Papua New Guinea

lcurran06:22 UTC01 Jul 2007

I haven't been able to find anything on this topic in the forum - but what is the tipping practice in PNG and is there usually a service charge at restaurants, etc.?

Thanks for your help. I'm off to PNG for a couple of weeks and I'd like to be prepared - or forewarned!

mandja06:46 UTC01 Jul 2007

Ive not been to PNG so not qualified to answer, but.........Id be stunned if there was a service charge OR an expectation of tipping.

pngmangi14:25 UTC01 Jul 2007

No service charge and tips are not expected.

banyalla15:33 UTC01 Jul 2007

as above but anything in tips will be hugely appreciated - just because nobody does it. if i am with nationals have always shared food and drink if they have come along to show me the ropes - and a handful of buai will keep anyone happy!

lcurran17:03 UTC01 Jul 2007

Thank you all for your help - I appreciate it.

I'm off to the Rabaul Mask Festival, then some time at Kavieng as well as the Western Highlands. I'm looking forward very much to the trip. Keep checking into my website after July 20th - I should have my pictures posted by then.

Thanks again.

siggisauerstoff18:37 UTC01 Jul 2007

once buying a coke for 1.8 i tied to give the boy 2 KINA .. but he keept on giving me the change ...

people really dont know TIPS. and i think that is ok ... like Banyalla says just share food and drinks with people that ist more nice anyway..and the PNG way...

mickniet10:05 UTC02 Jul 2007

As others have mentioned there is service charge or tipping in PNG. The only thing you have to watch for is that many resturants list the price before GST/VAT on their menus, so the bill be 10% more.

pago20:12 UTC02 Jul 2007

Just don't start the "tip" thing like they do in the USA......15%-20%!!!!!

aubs10:55 UTC09 Jul 2007

In restraunts you are not expected to tip, largely because PNG restraunts are frequented by Aussie expats who don't tip in their countries, but it is always nice to leave a small tip. Remember your server probably earns less than a kina an hour, so even if you leave a few kina, you will put a big smile on their face. My only weird thing about tipping here, is that sometimes the owner will try and keep the tip, so I always leave it under a plate or something for the server to find so they can discretely keep it.

amstrm15:22 UTC26 Jul 2007

Tipping isn't customary. There is a VAT on food and drink.

Tipping in Papua New Guinea Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Papua New Guinea
lcurran06:22 UTC01 Jul 2007	I haven't been able to find anything on this topic in the forum - but what is the tipping practice in PNG and is there usually a service charge at restaurants, etc.? Thanks for your help. I'm off to PNG for a couple of weeks and I'd like to be prepared - or forewarned!
mandja06:46 UTC01 Jul 2007	Ive not been to PNG so not qualified to answer, but.........Id be stunned if there was a service charge OR an expectation of tipping.	1
pngmangi14:25 UTC01 Jul 2007	No service charge and tips are not expected.	2
banyalla15:33 UTC01 Jul 2007	as above but anything in tips will be hugely appreciated - just because nobody does it. if i am with nationals have always shared food and drink if they have come along to show me the ropes - and a handful of buai will keep anyone happy!	3
lcurran17:03 UTC01 Jul 2007	Thank you all for your help - I appreciate it. I'm off to the Rabaul Mask Festival, then some time at Kavieng as well as the Western Highlands. I'm looking forward very much to the trip. Keep checking into my website after July 20th - I should have my pictures posted by then. Thanks again.	4
siggisauerstoff18:37 UTC01 Jul 2007	once buying a coke for 1.8 i tied to give the boy 2 KINA .. but he keept on giving me the change ... people really dont know TIPS. and i think that is ok ... like Banyalla says just share food and drinks with people that ist more nice anyway..and the PNG way...	5
mickniet10:05 UTC02 Jul 2007	As others have mentioned there is service charge or tipping in PNG. The only thing you have to watch for is that many resturants list the price before GST/VAT on their menus, so the bill be 10% more.	6
pago20:12 UTC02 Jul 2007	Just don't start the "tip" thing like they do in the USA......15%-20%!!!!!	7
aubs10:55 UTC09 Jul 2007	In restraunts you are not expected to tip, largely because PNG restraunts are frequented by Aussie expats who don't tip in their countries, but it is always nice to leave a small tip. Remember your server probably earns less than a kina an hour, so even if you leave a few kina, you will put a big smile on their face. My only weird thing about tipping here, is that sometimes the owner will try and keep the tip, so I always leave it under a plate or something for the server to find so they can discretely keep it.	8
amstrm15:22 UTC26 Jul 2007	Tipping isn't customary. There is a VAT on food and drink.	9