With reporting from Peter Kovessy

In his latest #QTip, ILoveQatar.net co-founder Khalifa Saleh Al Haroon tackles the question of tipping.

While some countries have established expectations about the appropriateness of this practice, things are a bit more fluid in Qatar.

The issue can get contentious, as many residents do it to make up for what seems like unfairly low wages of cleaners, waiters and other service people.

Many gas station attendants, for example, say tips make a huge difference for them.

But others argue that the practice sets high expectations on workers and puts undue influence on the kind of service all customers get.

What to do

In the absence of established standards, Al Haroon gives this advice:

“It depends on how you feel… do what you think is right.”

So how much should one tip? Global website WhoToTip suggests the following rates for Qatar services:

• Restaurants: 10 to 15 percent
• Hotels: QR10 to QR20 for doormen; QR10/day for housekeepers.
• Tour guides: QR18 to QR20
• Taxis: QR5 to QR10
• Spas: QR10 to QR20
• Hairdressers: QR10 to QR15 per QR100 service

Do you agree with these rates? Thoughts?