小 (xiǎo): This character means “small,” “little,” or “minor.” It's one of the most fundamental characters, often depicted as a central hook with two small lines, like small items scattered.
费 (fèi): This character means “fee,” “cost,” or “expense.” It's a combination of 弗 (a phonetic component) and 贝 (bèi), the character for “shell,” which was used as currency in ancient China. So, it's intrinsically linked to money and payment.
When combined, 小费 (xiǎofèi) creates the very literal and descriptive term “small fee,” perfectly capturing the idea of a tip being a small, extra payment beyond the main cost.
Traditionally, tipping has not been a custom in China and was often viewed negatively. In a socialist context, it could be seen as a form of bribery or a practice that created an unequal relationship. There was also a sense of professional pride; a worker's salary was paid by their employer, and the price of a service was all-inclusive. Accepting a tip could imply that the worker was underpaid or needed charity, which could be seen as an insult.
This contrasts sharply with American culture, where tipping is an ingrained social and economic expectation, often forming the bulk of a service worker's income. In China, the listed price is the final price. There is no social pressure or obligation to pay more.
While globalization and an increase in foreign tourism have introduced the concept, the default mindset for most Chinese people in most situations is still “we don't tip here.” Trying to tip can sometimes lead to confusion or polite refusal.
The cardinal rule is: when in doubt, don't tip. However, the practice is slowly finding a place in very specific contexts.
General Restaurants, Taxis, and Shops: No tip is expected. Ever. A taxi driver will give you exact change and may be confused if you tell them to keep it.
Tour Guides & Private Drivers: This is the most common exception. For multi-day private tours, especially those catering to foreigners, a tip for the guide and driver is often appreciated and sometimes expected as a sign of gratitude for their hard work.
High-End Hotels: In 5-star international hotel chains (e.g., Marriott, Hyatt) in major cities like Shanghai or Beijing, you might consider tipping the bellhop who carries your bags (e.g., 10-20 RMB) or the concierge for exceptional service. It is still not mandatory.
Food Delivery (外卖 - wàimài): You do not tip delivery drivers. However, on the app, there is sometimes an option to give them a digital
红包 (hóngbāo) - a small “red envelope” gift. People might do this during extreme weather (typhoons, heavy snow) as a gesture of thanks, but it's a gift, not an expected tip.
Service Charge (服务费 - fúwùfèi): Be careful not to confuse 小费 with 服务费 (fúwùfèi). Many upscale restaurants and hotels will automatically add a 10-15% “service charge” to the bill. This is not a tip that goes directly to the staff; it is a mandatory fee kept by the establishment. If a service charge is on the bill, you absolutely should not leave an additional tip.