World's Top Tippers

Americans may be rude tourists, but they sure can be generous. According to a survey, Americans are among the world’s top tippers.

TripAdvisor’s survey of more than 9,000 respondents (1,600 in the U.S.), revealed that 99% of Americans tip while on vacation. More than half (57%) said they always tip while on vacation. The survey included respondents from eight countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Russia and Brazil.

The world’s top tippers were actually Germans, who are the most likely to always tip on trips:

1. Germans: 69%

2. Americans: 57%

3. Russians: 53%

4. Brazilians: 40%

5. French: 39%

5. Brits: 39%

7. Spanish: 36%

8. Italians: 23%

While at restaurants, friendliness of service is the primary reason travelers will tip the staff; however, at hotels, the top factor was helpfulness of service.

"Tipping is a cultural norm in the States, and U.S. travelers have a tendency to take their customs on the road whether they are on American soil or traveling abroad," Brooke Ferencsik, director of communications at TripAdvisor, said in a statement.

According to American respondents, tipping can be a source of anxiety while on vacation as only 16% feel they are informed on how much to leave while in other countries. Three quarters use reference guides, while 35% ask friends or family who have visited the country and 26% speak with locals. The internet, of course, plays a crucial role: 48% read online reviews and 46% check online forums.

However, tipping issues have ruined a vacation for 3% of respondents. Sixteen percent have been asked to leave a tip by staff and 9% said they were confronted about the tip.