Many mid-range and upscale restaurants in Cambodia add a 10% service charge (SC) to your bill, sometimes alongside 10% VAT. You will see it listed as "SC 10%" or "service charge" on the itemised receipt. Before adding your own tip, always check the bill carefully.

Important: this service charge is collected by the business. It may or may not be distributed to your server — policies vary widely. If you want your specific server to receive something directly, hand them a small cash tip in person after the meal.

Cambodia operates a dual currency system (USD and Cambodian riel). For tipping:

• USD preferred for all tips $1 and above. Keep $1 and $5 bills on hand. USD is easiest for workers to spend and save.
• Cambodian riel acceptable for very small tips at street stalls (200–2,000 KHR equivalent to $0.05–0.50).
• Never tip with coins of any country — they cannot be exchanged and feel dismissive.
• Avoid other foreign currencies — Thai baht, euros, pounds, and other currencies are difficult for workers to exchange at fair rates.

The how of tipping matters in Cambodian culture:

• Give with both hands or right hand. Presenting money with your left hand alone is considered impolite. Both hands extended slightly is the most respectful gesture.
• Never throw or drop money. Place bills gently into hands or leave neatly on the table. Tossing change is considered very disrespectful.
• Discretion is kind. Hand a tip quietly and privately — making it a public performance is less dignified for the recipient.
• Arkoun (thank you) goes a long way. Saying thank you in Khmer while giving a tip makes the gesture warmer regardless of the amount.
• Never give money to children begging. This perpetuates child begging. If you wish to help, donate to reputable Cambodian NGOs instead.

To understand why tipping matters more in Cambodia than in wealthier countries, consider the context of local wages:

• Restaurant waiter: $150–250/month base salary
• Hotel housekeeper: $150–200/month
• Tuk-tuk driver: Often $8–15/day in gross earnings before fuel costs
• Massage therapist: $100–180/month at tourist massage shops
• Tour guide (independent): $15–30/day on working days — not every day has bookings

A $5 tip on a $40 meal represents about 2% of a waiter's monthly salary. For a Western traveller earning an average salary, that $5 is less than 0.01% of their monthly income. The asymmetry is enormous. Even modest tips — given thoughtfully and directly — are among the most impactful things visitors can do for Cambodian workers.