Table Manners and Tipping

in Mexico

When you are sharing a meal, it is customary to wish other diners “buen provecho” before you start eating. Buen provecho is similar to the well-known French expression bon appetit. If you need to leave a meal early, you should excuse yourself and again wish everyone at the table “buen provecho.” Charmingly, many people will also wish other diners in a restaurant “buen provecho” on their way out. As in most countries, when sharing a meal, it is customary to wait for everyone to be served before starting to eat.

When dining out with friends or acquaintances, Mexicans rarely split the bill. Usually, one of the parties will treat the others. If you were the one to invite a friend or business associate to a meal, you should also plan to treat. Usually, whomever you’ve treated will pick up the tab the next time.

In a restaurant, waitstaff receive a tip of 10-15 percent on the bill, though foreigners are generally expected to tip on the higher end of the scale. In bars, a 10 percent tip is standard.

Tips for hotel housekeeping is optional according to Mexican custom—some guests tip, and some don’t, and it is less common in budget hotels. However, it is appreciated. It is customary to tip porters at an airport or hotel several dollars per bag, or about US$5-10, depending on how far you are going and the size of your load. In nicer hotels, it is necessary to give a higher tip.

Though it is not necessary to tip a taxi driver when traveling within city limits, tips are always graciously welcomed. At gas stations, a small tip of about 5 percent of the sale is customary for gas station attendants (all gas stations are full service in Mexico).