Tipping around the world
One of the most commonly asked questions when travelling is whom to tip and how much should I tip my guide and porters. Tipping should always be discretionary and outside of North America should be a reward for good service. Here are the tipping practices in the most travelled countries around the world.
If you have a tour leader, please verify with him/her if tips for auxiliary staff such as bellhops and cleaning staff are taken care of by him/her.
We give prices in US$ as this is normally a more stable currency than local money. Tips are however normally given in local currency (unless there is a very disadvantageous exchange rate and a thriving black market). You can convert the amounts below using a currency converter like this one.
Antarctica & Arctic cruises
Tipping on-board depends on the ship you are on. Some include on board gratuities in the cost of the trip - double check your pre-departure information. If tips are not included add it to your on board account to be paid at the end of your trip. We recommended US$10 per guest per day.
Argentina
Simple restaurants: no tip is expected
Nicer restaurants: tip the waiter 10 percent of the bill
Hotels: small change for bellhops and room attendants
Bars & cafes: 10% for table service. Bar keepers will appreciate a tip but do not expect it.
Bag handlers: your smallest bill
Tour Guides: 10% of the cost of a day trip. On Multi-day trips, $2-$4 per passenger per day.
Private Guides: $10 per passenger per day
Tour drivers:$1-2 per passenger perday
Taxi drivers: round up to the nearest peso
Australia
Tipping is still a widely discussed subject in Australia and tips are not always accepted. If you wish to tip, use the following as a guideline:
Restaurants & cafes: no more than 10%
Bars: round up the bill Hotels: $1-5 per day for room attendants; 10% for room service Bag handlers: $1 per bag Tour Guides: $2-5 per passenger per day Private Guides: $5-15 per passenger per day
Tour drivers: $1-3 per passenger per day
Taxi drivers: small change up to 10% of the fare
Belize
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up the bill
Nicer restaurants: 10-15% of the bill
Hotels: small change for porters and room attendants
Bag handlers: small change
Tour Guides: $2-4 per passenger per day
Private Guides: $5-10 per passenger per day
Tour drivers: $1-2 per passenger per day
Taxi drivers: none
Botswana
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up the bill
Nicer restaurants: if no service charge has been added, please add 10%
Bars & cafes: small change
Bag handlers: small change
Basic Camping Safari guides: US$1 per guest per day for guides/porters, $2-3 per guest per day for camping crew
Private Game Reserves: Ranger/Guide $10 per guest per day; Tracker $8 per guest per day; Butler $8 per guest per day; Camp staff $8 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: 10% of the fare
Bhutan
Restaurants: small change
Hotels: small change for staff
Bars & cafes: small change
Bag handlers: 50 cents per bag
Guides: US$4-8 per guest per day
Tour drivers: US$2-5 per guest per day
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: 5-10% of the bill, depending on the level of service
Nicer restaurants: 5-10% of the bill, depending on the level of service
Hotels: bills are often rounded up but you can add $0.50 per day for room attendants
Tour Guides: 10% for exceptional service
Tour drivers: $1 per guest
Taxi drivers: round up the fare
Bulgaria Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: $1-2 Nicer restaurants: tip 10% Hotels: porters: $1 per bag, house keeping $1 per day Bag handlers: tipping is not expected Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day Private Guides: $5-7 per guest per day Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day Taxi drivers: 10% of the fare
Cambodia
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest dollar
Nicer restaurants: $1 per diner
Hotels: $1 per bag for porters
Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day
Private Guides: $10-20 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day for a group tour, $5 per guest per day for a private tour
Taxi drivers: $1
Canada
Restaurants, bars & cafes: 15% of the bill
Hotels: $1-2 per bag for porters, bell hops; $5 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: posted rate or $1-2 per bag
Tour Guides: $10-15 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $5-10 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: 10-15% of the fare
Chile
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up
Nicer restaurants: if 10% is already added, add 5%; otherwise 10-15%
Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, $2 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1 per bag
Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day
Private Guides: $10-25 per day depending on group size
Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: round up the fare
Expedition staff (i.e. trek in Patagonia): $10-20 per guest per day
China
Traditionally tipping is not required. However, It has become an expectation to tip the tour guide and driver. At more upscale hotels and restaurants catering to Westerners, staff have become used to receiving small tips in recognition of their good service.
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: no tipping is required
Nicer restaurants: if you are happy with the service, leave small change up to US$1-2
Tourist class hotels: no tipping is required
Better hotels: $1 per day for room attendants, $1 per bag for bag handlers
Group Tour Guides: no tipping is required
Private Tour Guides: $10-20 per day
Private Tour drivers: $5-10 per day, given directly to the driver
Taxi drivers: no tipping is required; leave small change up to US$1-2 for exceptional service.
Colombia
Please don't tip with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes. This is regarded culturally as an insult
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: leave the change
Nicer restaurants: 10% unless this has already been added
Hotels: hacienda staff $5 to $10 per person per night; hotels $1 per bag for porters and $1 per night for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1 per bag
Tour Guides: $2-3 per guest per day
Private Guides: $10 per guest per day
Tour drivers: for group tours, $1-2 per guest per day; private drivers $5 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: small change if the driver was helpful; do tip around Christmas and New Year
Costa Rica
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: leave the change
Nicer restaurants: 10-15% , unless it has been included
Hotels: $0.5-1 per bag for porters and bellhops; $2 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $0.5-1 per bag
Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day
Private Guides: $5-10 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $2-4 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: small change
Croatia
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: leave the change
Nicer restaurants: 10-15%
Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, $1-2 per day for room attendants, $1-2 for breakfast staff
Bag handlers: $1 per bag
Tour Guides: $3-4 per guest per day
Private Guides: $5-10 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: leave the change
Czech Republic
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 10-15%
Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, $3-5 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1 per bag
Tour Guides: $5-10 per guest per day
Private Guides: $10-20 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $2-3 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: Round up the fare if the driver was particularly helpful
Cuba
Clothing and toiletries are highly appreciated.
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 10-15%
Hotels: $1 for porters, $1 per day for room attendants, $1-2 per day in total for Casa Particular staff
Bag handlers: $1
Tour Guides: $2-3 per guest per day
Private Guides: $5-7 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: $2-3
Ecuador & Galapagos
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 10% unless it has already been included
Hotels: $1 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1
Tour Guides: US$3-4 per guest per day
Private Guides: US$8-10 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: round up the fare to the nearest dollar
Galapagos cruises: US$12-14 per guest day for the crew and US$8-10 per guest per day for your guide
Andean Treks: cook $5 per guest per day, porters $1-2 per guest per day, burro drivers $2-3 per guest per day
Egypt
The practice of bakshees (tipping) is not merely reserved for foreigners and Egyptians have to constantly hand out 'Baksheesh' as well - to park their cars, ensure fresh produce and pick up their mail. It is not compulsory but always welcome, though never enough (according to the recipient).
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: any service charge added goes to the restaurant; be sure to tip the waiter 5-10%
Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, bell hops; $2 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1 per bag
Tour Guides: $3-4 per guest per day
Private Guides: $10-20 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day for group tours, $5-10 per guest per day for private tours
Taxi drivers: small change
France
Bars & cafes: no tip is expected but $1-2 is nice
Restaurants: tips are normally included but please add 10%
Hotels: $1 for porters, bell hops; $1-2 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1
Tour Guides: $2-6 per guest per day
Private Guides: $30 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $1-3 for group tours, $10-15 for private drivers
Taxi drivers: 10-15%
Germany
Restaurants, bars & cafes: round up or add 10-15% for good service
Hotels: $1-4 for porters, bell hops; $4-6 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1-4
Tour Guides: 10%
Tour drivers: $5 per day
Taxi drivers: round up the nearest Euro with a maximum of 10%
Greece
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest Euro
Nicer restaurants: 10-15%
Hotels: $1 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1
Tour Guides: $3-6 per guest per day
Private Guides: $25 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $1-3 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: round up the fare
Hungary Door and bathroom attendants: $0.30 Spas: masseurs $1.50 and $0.30 for attendants and/or helpers Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $ Nicer restaurants: if no charge has been included, tip 10% Hotels: $2 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants Bag handlers: $2 Tour Guides: $2 per guest per day Private Guides: $5-7 per guest per day Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day Taxi drivers: 10% of the fare
Iceland
Tipping is not common, except for:
Tour Guides: $3-5 per guest per day
Private Guides: $10-20 per guest per day
India
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: if no charge has been included, tip 10%
Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1 per bag
Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day
Private Guides: $5-7 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: round up the fare
Rickshaw drivers: no tip is expected
Italy
Bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: round up to the nearest round number (e.g. EUR18 to EUR20)
Hotels: $5 for porters, bell hops; $1-2 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $5
Tour Guides: $3-5 per guest per day
Private Guides: $5-10 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $2-3 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: not customary to tip, but you may round up
Gondoliers and vaporettos: not customary to tip
Japan
Tipping is uncommon, except in the following cases:
Ryokans: leave a small tip in an envelope
Private Guides: $10-20 per guest per day, in an envelope
Private Tour drivers: buy their lunch
Taxi drivers: round up the fare
Jordan
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 5-10%
Hotels: $1-2 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1-2 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1-2 per bag
Tour Guides: $3-4 per guest per day
Private Guides: $25 per guest per day for groups of 4 or less, $10 per guest per day for larger private groups
Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day for group tours, $15 per guest per day for groups of 4 or less, $10 per guest per day for larger private groups
Taxi drivers: round up the fare up to 10%
Desert Camp hosts: If you have a night camping included on your itinerary US$2-3 per guest per day is appropriate for the camp hosts.
Public toilet attendants: 20- 50 cents is appropriate.
Kenya
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 10% handed to the waiter
Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1 per bag
Tour Guides: $2-3 per guest per day
Private Guides: $10-15 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: round up to the nearest KES100
Laos
Tipping is not expected, except in the following cases:
Nicer restaurants: 10-15%
Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, bell hops
Tour Guides: $3-4 per guest per day
Private Guides: $10-15 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $2-3 per guest per day
Macedonia Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $ Nicer restaurants: if no charge has been included, tip 10% Hotels: tipping is not expected Bag handlers: tipping is not expected Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day Private Guides: $5-7 per guest per day Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day Taxi drivers: round up the fare or 10% of the fare
Malaysia
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 10% is usually included - round up the bill
Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1 per bag
Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day
Private Guides: $5-10 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day for groups, $3-5 per guest per day for private tours
Taxi drivers: no tip is expected or required
Morocco
Restaurants: 10% if it has not been added already
Hotels: $2 per bag for porters, bell hops; $2-3 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $2 per bag
Tour Guides: $2-3 per guest per day
Private Guides: $10 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $1 per guest per day as part of a group, $5 per guest per day in a private arrangement
Taxi drivers: round up to nearest 10DIR
Bath houses: $2-3 per guest
Myanmar
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 5% of the bill
Hotels: 50 cents $1 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: 50 cents $1 per bag
Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day
Private Guides: $5-10 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $1 per guest per day on group tours, $2-5 per guest per day for private drivers
Taxi drivers: round up the fare
Namibia
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 10% of the bill
Hotels: $1 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants
Lodges: $5 per guest per day paid on check-out - it will get divided among the staff (safari guides are excluded from his communal tip, so please tip them separately - see below)
Bag handlers in super markets: some small change
Safari Guides on group tours: $5 per guest per day
Private Guides in safari lodges: $10-15 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $2 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: round up the fare
Car guards in Windhoek: 50 US$ cents per hour
Nepal
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: a service charge will normally be included. If not, tip 5-10%
Hotels: 50 cents - $1 for porters, bell hops; for other staff there is often a tipping box - add $1-2 per guest per day
Bag handlers at stations & terminals: 50 cents - $1
Trekking Guides: $2-3 per guest per day
Trekking Porters: $2-3 per guest per day
Tour leaders: $3-5 per guest per day
Private guides: $10-15 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $2-3 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: round up the fare
Netherlands Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $ Better restaurants: 5-10% for exceptional service Hotels: tipping is not customary Bag handlers: $2 Guides: tipping is not customary. Tip a few Euros for exceptional service Tour drivers: tipping is not customary. Tip a few Euros for exceptional service Taxi drivers: tipping is not customary. Tip a few Euros for exceptional service
New Zealand
Tipping is still a widely discussed subject in New Zealand and tips are not always accepted. If you wish to tip, use the following as a guideline:
Restaurants & cafes: no more than 10%
Bars: round up the bill Hotels: $1-$5 per day for room attendants; 10% for room service Bag handlers: $1 per bag Tour Guides: $2-$5 per passenger per day Private Guides: $5-$15 per passenger per day
Tour drivers: $1-$3 per passenger per day
Taxi drivers: small change up to 10% of the fare
Norway
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 10-15% of the bill if the service was outstanding
Hotels: gratuities for service workers are included in your hotel bill
Tour Guides: a tip is not expected but for outstanding service you could tip $2-3 per guest per day
Private Guides: a tip is not expected but for outstanding service you could tip $5-10 per guest per day
Tour drivers: a tip is not expected but for outstanding service you could tip $1-2 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: a tip is not expected but you can round up the fare if the service was outstanding
Peru
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 10-15% of the bill
Hotels: $1 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1
Tour Guides: $7-10 per guest per day
Private Guides: $10-20 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $3-5 per guest per day for groups, US$5-10 per guest per day for private tours
Taxi drivers: no tip is expected as you negotiate a fare up-front
Inca Trail: each guest pays US$20 to $25 to a kitty which is then distributed among the cook, assistant cook, general assistant and porters. In addition each guest pays $6-8 for the assistant guide and $8-10 for the lead guide.
Poland
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: no need to tip
Nicer restaurants: 10 is the norm, 15% for exceptional service
Hotels: no tips expected but you can tip $3 per day for room attendants, concierge $5 if extra service was provided
Spas: 10% for exceptional service
Tour Guides: 10-15% for good service
Tour drivers: 10-15% for good service
Taxi drivers: 10% for good service
Portugal
Restaurants, bars & cafes: tips are not expected. Only tip for exceptional service (around 10%)
Hotels: $1-2 for porters, bell hops; $1-2 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1-2
Tour Guides: $3-5 per guest per day
Private Guides: $5-10 per guest per day
Tour drivers: per guest per day
Taxi drivers: a tip is not expected but you can round up the fare as it is appreciated
Romania
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 10% of the bill
Hotels: $1.50 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1.50 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1.50 per bag
Spas: 10-15% of the bill
Tour Guides: $3-6 per guest per day
Private Guides: $10-15 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $2-3 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: $1.50
Russia
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: no need to tip
Nicer restaurants: 10-15% of the bill
Hotels: $1-4 per bag for porters, bell hops; $2-4 per day for room attendants, concierge $10 if extra service was provided
Bag handlers: $1-4 per bag
Spas: no tip expected
Tour Guides: $10 per guest per day
Private Guides: $20 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $10 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: round up the fare and tip maximum 10%
Rwanda
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Restaurants: check if a 10% service charge has been included. If not, tip 10%
Hotels: $1 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants
For Gorilla Treks you tip as a group:
Porter US $10 per trek
Gorilla Trek Guide US $20 per trek
Gorilla Trek Assistant Guide US $10 per trek
Gorilla Trackers US $5 per tracker per trek (usually 3 or 4 trackers are used to find the gorillas)
Gorilla Security trekker US $5 per trek
Slovakia
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: 5-10% of the bill
Nicer restaurants: 10% of the bill
Hotels: no tips expected
Tour Guides: 5-10% is appreciated for exceptional service but not expected
Tour drivers: a tip is not expected
Taxi drivers: a tip is not expected
Slovenia
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up the bill
Nicer restaurants: 10% is appreciated but not expected
Hotels: no tips expected
Tour Guides: 5-10% is appreciated for exceptional service but not expected
Tour drivers: a tip is not expected
Taxi drivers: a tip is not expected
South Africa
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 10-15% of the bill, paid to the waiter; for groups they may already have been added
Hotels: $1 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1-2 per bag
Car park attendants looking after your car (ask for ID): $2
Tour Guides: $10 per guest per day
Private Guides: $20-25 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $5-10 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: 10% of the fare
Spain
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 10%, in cash
Hotels: $1-2 per bag for porters, bell hops; $3-6 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1-2 per bag
Tour Guides: $3-5 per guest per day
Private Guides: $15-20 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $2-3 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: 10% or round up the fare
Sri Lanka
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 10-15%
Hotels: 50 cents - $1 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: 50 cents - $1
Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day
Private Guides: $10 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day in a group or $5 per guest per day for a private tour
Taxi drivers: round up the fare
Tanzania
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 5% of the bill or a few dollars per meal if your meals are included in your safari
Hotels: $1-2 per bag for porters, bell hops; $2-4 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1-2 per bag
Tour Guides: $3-5 per guest per day
Private Guides: per guest per day
Tour drivers: $2 per guest per day if in a group, $5 per day if you have a separate driver on your private safari
Taxi drivers: round up the fare
Kilimanjaro crew: tip $5-10 per guest per day for the guide and $2 per guest per day for each porter.
Thailand
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 10% unless a service charge has been included
Hotels: $1 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants is appreciated but not expected
Bag handlers: $1
Tour Guides: $5 per guest per day
Private Guides: $10-20 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $2 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: round up the fare
Turkey
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: 10-15% in cash, unless it has been added already
Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1 per bag
Tour Guides: $3-5 per guest per day
Private Guides: $20-30 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $2-3 per guest per day for groups, $35-50 per car for private tours
Taxi drivers:
Bath houses: 10-20% of the rate
United States
Restaurants, bars & cafes: 15-20% of the bill, more in top-of-the-line restaurants
Hotels: $2-3 per bag for porters, bell hops; $5 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: posted rate or $1-2 per bag
Tour Guides: $10-15 per guest per day or 10-15% of the tour cost
Tour drivers: $5-10 per guest per day
Taxi drivers: 10-15% of the fare
Vietnam
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: if 10% gratuity is included, add a little; if it is not add 10-12% in cash
Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1-2 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1 per bag
Tour Guides: $3-5 per guest per day
Private Guides: $10-15 per guest per day
Tour drivers: $1-3 per guest per day if a tour group; $5-8 per day if in a private group
Taxi drivers: round up the fare
Cyclo drivers: a few dollars
Zimbabwe
Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $
Nicer restaurants: a 10% service charge is usually included. If not, tip 10%
Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants
Bag handlers: $1 per bag
Safari Guide / Game Ranger game lodges : US$10 per guest per day.
Trackers at game lodges : US$7 per guest per day.
General staff at game lodges: US$7 per guest per day.
Taxi drivers: a 10% service charge is usually included. If not, tip 10%
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