Tipping in cafes and coffee shops
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What it really means
You don't need to tip when you order and collect at the counter. Many cafes have a tip jar or a card-machine prompt suggesting a tip; you're free to ignore it with no awkwardness. If a coffee is brought to your table, a small tip is a kind gesture but not expected.
Chinese explanation
在柜台点单自取时不用给小费。很多咖啡馆有小费罐，或刷卡机会跳出加小费的提示；你完全可以忽略，不会尴尬。若咖啡送到桌上，给点小费是善意，但并非必须。
Example conversation
A: The card machine's asking if I want to add a tip.
B: Only if you want to — at a counter it's totally optional.
A：刷卡机问我要不要加小费。
B：想加才加——柜台点单完全随意。
What you could say back
Related phrases
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Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team
· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake