When the European parliament returns from its summer break this September, some British MPs are hoping to stage a debate and push their "fair tipping policy" agenda. If all goes well, they will urge the European Commission, which draws up European Union laws, to bring forward proposals and Europe-wide rules to prevent staff being denied customers' tips by their employers.

The debate, which began after media investigations claimed service companies were using tips to subsidise pay, will aim to bring about a common policy on tipping and hopefully reduce the confusion about local practices when people travel to another member state in the 27-nation European Union.

In the UAE too, thanks to a thriving service sector and growth in tourism, tipping is becoming more common. While some experts argue that it is still not prevalent, it is only a matter of time before a similar debate arises.

But according to an official from the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), there are no rules or laws about service charges in the UAE.

"There are no instructions for this," he says. "There is an international standard of 10 per cent which people go by. But in general there is no official policy."

A number of establishments, however, levy service charges on the customer. But in the absence of a guideline, how much of it actually trickles down to the staff? And do employees actually get the tips at all?

Michael Henssler, General Manager at Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, says staff salaries are fixed in a contract and any tips they receive on top of the 10 per cent service charge on its bills goes towards staff benefits and services.

"The service charge is always related to the revenues," he says. "The employee always gets their guaranteed salary and always gets the service charge."

A spokesperson at Jumeirah, which runs, among other hotels, Burj Al Arab and Emirates Towers, says: "At Jumeirah we do not have a specific tipping policy but all the tips received at Jumeirah outlets go directly to our staff.

"Each department determines how tips are allocated – some pay directly to the individual staff member, while some pool them and then distribute it to all the staff in that department.

"We comply with regulations when it comes to charging tax and service charges in our hotels and restaurants and this is included in the prices listed on our menus."

Colin De Bruin, consultant to franchiser Retailcorp and brand manager of the Torino Lamborghini cafes in the UAE, says service staff are paid less than other staff members as they interact with the customer and are, therefore, likely to get tips.

"With waiting staff, the salary is normally a little bit lower than the likes of kitchen staff, even though they are both specialised skills because there is the assumption that they're going to get rewarded through cash tips," he says.

The UAE Embassy in Washington DC advises travellers that most restaurants in the Emirates add a service charge to the bill, which in Abu Dhabi is 16 per cent, Sharjah 15 per cent and Dubai 10 per cent. If they do not, a 10 per cent tip is acceptable.

"Tipping is not expected, but is common practice. Gratuities to staff at hotels are at your discretion," says the Embassy, adding: "Taxi drivers do not expect a tip. Supermarket baggers, bag carriers and windscreen washers at petrol stations are generally given Dh2."

But in the absence of a law, the dispute about service charges and whether or not they already constitute a tip or if they are added to the profit margins of companies, is likely to continue.

"If I knew that there was a service charge attached to my bill, I would not be inclined to leave an extra tip," says Rahim Hirji, editor of website grapeshisha.com, which provides an unofficial guide to the UAE and has a special section on tipping. "Restaurants should clearly state what happens to the service charge they put on the bill. People find it very difficult to ask following the meal but assume that it goes to the staff.

"I would say that tipping in the UAE has a lot to do with the influx of Western culture and a philosophy of 'I can afford to tip so I will' but it is not yet a standard. People from the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent do not generally tip but this is also changing and depends on deposable income."

Hair stylist, Maria Dowling, who runs her own salon in Dubai, says there is no service charge and that her team do not expect tips.

"Our salon environment is unique and almost club-like," she says. "The relationship that is forged between client and stylist is something that develops over a long period of time, rendering that relationship highly personal.

"Some clients prefer to leave a gratuity and some may prefer to leave chocolates for everyone to tuck into. Our aim is to deliver the very best possible service and the best gratuity is a happy client."

A spokesperson for oil company Enoc says they do allow employees to keep tips given by customers: "We keep an open door for those who want to give tips for good service.

"We don't have anything against this practice."

So, as the debate rages in Europe, the question of whether or not to tip – or how much to tip – in the UAE remains at the discretion of the customer.

Carlo dei Tedeschi, a social commentator, says in many service industries customers should consider gratuities as a form of social responsibility towards anyone whose basic salary is low.

"I don't believe tipping ought to be prescriptive in terms of percentages, but I do believe customers ought to bear in mind that even small change left behind can make an end of month life-enhancing difference."




What to give

Supermarkets
- Bagger – Dh2
- Car loader – Dh2


Hotels
- Room service – 10 per cent of the bill
- Concierge – Dh5 to Dh10
- Valet – Dh10


Restaurants
- Waiting staff – 10 to 16 per cent of the bill depending on service

Fuel station
- Attendant – Dh2


Hairdressers 
- Stylist – 10 per cent of the final bill


Taxis
- Not expected, but 10 per cent is appreciated