How does tipping work in Istanbul?

Tipping in Istanbul is customary but modest by American standards. In sit-down restaurants, 10% is the norm; 15% is generous and will be noticed. Most menus do not include a service charge, so check your bill before adding anything. Hand cash directly to your server rather than leaving it on the table, as pooling practices vary and cash is more reliably received. At casual lokanta-style lunch spots, rounding up the bill is sufficient. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but rounding to the nearest 10 or 20 lira is common. Hamam attendants who scrub and massage you should receive 50-100 lira depending on the service. Hotel housekeeping appreciates 50-100 lira per stay, left with a note if possible. Bartenders at higher-end Beyoglu or Karakoy cocktail bars are accustomed to 10-15%. Tipping is always in cash and always in Turkish lira; handing someone foreign currency reads as thoughtless rather than generous.

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