【备战2011年职称英语考试】精选阅读中英文语句(45)

1. It's every traveler's nightmare. The porter brings your bags to your room and helpfully explains how to access CNN. He shows you how to turn on the lights and adjust the air-conditioner. Then he points to the phone and says: “If there’s anything else you need, just call.“ All this time, you've been thinking one thing: “How much should I tip this guy?” Out of desperation you shove a few banknotes into his hand, hoping that you're neither given too much or too little.

2. It's difficult to divine what constitutes an appropriate tip in any country. In Japan, if you leave a couple of coins on the table, the waiter may chase after you to return your forgotten change. In New York, on the other hand, if you leave less than 15%, your reservation might not hold up next time. Asia, with its multiplicity of cultures and customs, is a particularly difficult terrain. To make your next trip a little easier, here's a guide to tipping across the region:

3. Bangkok

In general, the more Westernized the place is, the more likely you'll be expected to leave a gratuity. Some top-end restaurants will add a 10% service charge to the bill. If not, waiters will appreciate you tacking on the 10% yourself. However, if you're eating at a downscale restaurant a tip is not necessary. If you're staying at one of Bangkok's many five-star establishments, expect to tip the porter 20 to 50 baht, depending on how many bags you have. Taxis are now metered in Bangkok. Local custom is to round the fare up to the nearest five baht.

4. Hong Kong

Gratuity is customary in this money-mad metropolis. Most restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge to the bill, but the surcharge often ends up in the pocket of the owner. If the service is good, add another 10% to the bill, up to HK$100 in an especially nice restaurant. For HK$10 hotel porters should do it at all but the nicest hotels where a new HK$20 bill may be more acceptable. When in a taxi, round up to the nearest dollar.

5. Jakarta

Tipping is not part of local culture, but international influences have turned some Westernized palms upward in search of a few extra rupiah. A 10% service charge is added at most high-end restaurants. At moderately priced restaurants, 5,000 rupiah should do it. If the service is superb, tack on an extra 1,000 or so. At hotels, porters ask for a few hundred rupiah for each bag. While most taxi drivers will automatically round up to the next 500 rupiah.