Tipping in Medan

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Giving Tips in Medan

This is a guide every traveler wants to know when they go on their vacation.

How much to tip in Medan? What are people expecting? Before we get into tipping, you may want to know the value of your money in Medan Indonesia, no not just the exchange rates. But how much your money is worth.

Minimum Wage in Medan

This is just a guide to the value of money ( tipping ) in Medan. The standard minimum wage in Medan is around Rp980.000 a month which is around Rp38.000 (USD 4.00 ) a day. Some smaller retail and service industry even pays lower than minimum wage like Rp500.000 / month.

So you can measure how much your tips are worth.

There are many times, tourists are the victims of extortion in Indonesia, hence, takes extra precaution. The amount of Rp 50.000 is a big sum as tips in Indonesia, hence do not fall into the trap.

Tipping at Restaurants & Hotels

Many restaurants and hotels have the standard 10% service charge plus tax directly charged to your bill. So technically, you are not required to give any extra.

Nevertheless, if you are feeling well served and generous, you may want to give extra tips to the waiters or waitresses.

There are no hard and fast rules on how much to tip in Medan compared to USA where 25% of your bill is expected. It is up to your generosity. Nevertheless, you may want to know about the standards just in case.

For restaurants, the standard tipping is around Rp 5.000 to Rp 10.000. You may give more if you bring more guests. Rp20.000 should be a big tip.

Hotel porters and bellboys, probably the same aroung Rp5.000 to Rp10.000 depending on the amount of luggages you have for them to help you with.

Beauty Salon & Nail Parlor

This is for the gals. The expected rate for beauty salon or nail parlor, Rp 5.000 is standard for each washer and dryer. Yes, you get more than 1 person servicing you. Some more affluent clients give Rp 10.000 for each of them especially if they are regulars.

Tour & Tour Guide

Tour Guide: I would suggests Rp 50.000 each, for the driver and the guide ( for private tours ). This is based on the standard 3D2N tours. If you feel that you would like to show your appreciation, then really it’s up to each individual. If you are traveling on a group tour, then this should be optional.

Taxi Driver:

This is not expected. But sometimes due to the limited amount of change Indonesia such as the Rp100, Rp500 coins. You may just let them keep the change.

Airport:

Although it is clearly stated that the porter charges Rp 2.000 for each bag, many expect more of about Rp5.000 for each bag now (yes they will ask for more).

From personal experience, no matter how much you give them. They will try and ask for more. So be prepared. There was once, I was feeling generous and gave Rp20.000 for 3 bags and they still ask for more!

As Medan airport has very limited amount of luggage trolleys available, especially as they are all being hogged by the porters themselves, there may be none left for anyone else to use. You will need the help of the porter if you have many luggages.

PARKING

Oh by the way, if you park on the streets of Medan, expect to pay Rp1.000 to Rp2.000 to the parking attendant. This is not a tip, it is a parking fee. The official parking attendant wears an orange jacket and should give you a receipt. But it is common to see any local person to take these parking fees from you.

Why Rp1.000 to Rp2.000. The official price is actually Rp1.000 but it has become a standard for these parking attendants to ask for Rp2.000 now. Even expect to pay Rp5.000 for parking ( just to keep your cars safe ) on a busy street at night where there is an event with parking overflowing to the streets.

If you park at a busy plaza or hotel and the security guard or parking officer helps you get a parking spot, expect to give at least Rp2.000 to Rp5.000 tips too.

Remember, tipping should be based on your own appreciation of service you received and your own financial ability. The amount stated here is just a general guide. If you do feel that the service you are receiving is an exception and would like to show your appreciation, then it is up to the individual to give any amount you like as tips.

M City Majestyk Entertainment in Medan

This will be the latest Entertainment Spot in Medan ( soon to be open )

updated 16 Aug:

The Signage is up, The entertainment center is known as:

M - City “Hotel, Spa, Karaoke, Pub“

We are not sure what the name will be, but a rough guess from the BIG “M” painted on the building, we guess it will be called Majestyk since this is a well known building in Jl. Gatot Subroto which houses the Majestyk Bioskop / cinema for years.

Owned by The Selecta Group who owns the Selecta Restaurants (specialized in Wedding Functions) and Karaoke, It is going to be a one - stop entertainment spot in Medan with Karaoke, Pub, Spa and there are rumors that there will also be hotel rooms inside…

So watch this space for an update of this new entertainment spot in town.