Two things many overseas visitors to Canada often find hard to get used to, is the amount of tipping that goes on and the hidden nature of sales tax.

Tipping

Tipping at restaurants is customarily a hefty 20%. For less-than-stellar service, 10-15% is customary, as an imperfect experience is often not solely the responsibility of the server.

Often servers work for below minimum wage and live mostly on tips, so consider the ramifications of your tipping decisions.

In hotels bell staff typically receive $1-$2 per bag they assist with; if someone carts all of your bags up to your room, expect to tip $10.

At properties with concierge services, consider tipping staff who assist you in planning activities, making reservations or acquiring tickets, or simply orienting you with driving directions or public transportation info. Current etiquette calls for $10-$20 per person, per day for concierge help.

Car valet staff expect $1-$2 for delivering you your car.

Spa employees (massage therapists, aestheticians, etc.) usually see 20% tips on their services.

Sales Tax

Despite being mandatory, almost no prices anywhere include sales tax (fuel at gas stations being a notable exception).

Sales tax (called GST, PST or HST) is added when you pay and is not standard on all goods or even between provinces. All our prices are quoted without sales tax; which is 5% in Alberta and 12% in British Columbia. Where tax is included in a rate this has been mentioned.