Is travel to Morocco on the cards this year? Here's all you need to know about tipping culture.
Tipping is common in the UK and especially the US. In Morocco, it's less of a 'thing,' but in recent times, the younger generation values it as a part of life. Tipping taxi drivers is not customary, but tipping at restaurants and cafes? Do it.
The reason why people tip in cafés and restaurants, and sometimes even in hotels, is that the people who work there usually get paid very little. They receive the SMIG (minimum wage), which is approximately 250 euros/260 dollars per month, not enough to get by in Morocco. Tipping in Morocco is a way to show your appreciation for them, not just for their service.
Who You Should Tip
The rule of thumb for tipping is to provide a tip to those who give you good service. Some people might even tip taxis on a very good day, but that’s very rare. Taxis use a meter to calculate how much you owe them for a ride, unless it’s a small city where the fare depends on the number of people taking the taxi.
So, if you’re in Morocco, the people you should usually tip if provided with good service are:
- Waiters & waitresses at a restaurant or café
- Staff in Riads or hotels
- Guides
- Porters
- Sometimes taxi drivers
How Much You Should Tip
Similarly to the US and UK, a 10% tip is standard in your regular restaurants and local cafes. If you find yourself at an expensive or particularly sophisticated restaurant, it's normal to leave up to a 50% tip, depending on how impressed you were. In this instance, go with your gut.
In other cases, you shouldn't. One of the most important rules to follow in Morocco is that it's better to leave no tip than to leave an insulting tip. If your bill at a restaurant amounts to 1000 dirham (99 dollars) and you give the waiter 10 dirham as a tip, that would be thought of as incredibly insulting.
For a taxi ride, it is not necessary to tip, but if you're feeling generous, give them 5 or 10 dirham. In tourist areas, they've already increased the price. In Morocco's big cities with cultural significance, Fez, Tangiers, or Marrakech, if you hire a driver, you would tip 150-200 dirham a day. Similarly, if you hire a tour guide, tip them at least 150 dirham. If you choose to stay in a hotel and the porter is helpful, 10-20 dirham would be a great help to staff who don't earn a huge amount. For a private hammam or spa, I would tip from 20 up to 100 dirham, depending on the service. If the establishment is of a high standard, the tip is well deserved.
In Morocco, you may encounter some beggars, as in any tourist city. Most of these are professionals, so either give them small change or ignore them.
Follow these tips about tipping, and all will be well! Do share your travel stories with us on Twitter or Instagram!
