Cruise Planners - To Tip or Not to Tip in Europe????

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To Tip or Not to Tip in Europe????

Posted Wed, Jun 11th 2008, 11:05

It's confusing. What's the difference between a tip and "service?" When, where and how much do you tip? Or is Europe getting away from tipping altogether?

I am a bartender here in the uk. I get really peeved when I am not tipped. We are paid £0.20 over minimum wage per hour and are expected to make the rest up in tips. We only work 20 hours a week, when the club is open and we have to work for private parties when the club is hired out. The problem is that although most English people do tip, many americans do not. A friend told me that americans are told not to tip because the british get offended. This is ridiculous, nobody in the universe should be offended at being given money. Furthermore when a complex order is taken which might take me a few minutes and potentially deprive me of serving a known tipper, I feel very upset when I'm not tipped. In the uk in bars when your change is returned on a tray it is in order that you may leave something as a tip. so please americans and continental europeans, tip us. Tou get better service if you do and you know that you are helping pay the rent or college fees or gas supply of the bar people.
andrew uk <adakoutros@hotmail.com>
London, UK 06/28/01

Many of my acquaintances who work at restaurants and hotels complain that European travelers don't tip. This is probably because they are used to a 15% service charge being included with bills in their countries. However, in all my travels in Europe, I have never encountered a hotel/restaurant worker who didn't expect a tip from me, depite the service charge I paid with my check!
Carol
CA USA 05/03/01

I spent considerable time in Germany, and while the tips are not necessary, I've seen many Germans leave several marks as a tip after meals and even after just having a couple of drinks.

USA 03/21/01

I'm from the Netherlands and have worked for a couple of years in a small restaurant on the border with Germany.

In the Netherlands and Germany there's no tip at all or the bill is rounded to the next nearest number, maybe a guilder or mark more. In the more rural places, tips of 5% or more are considered very high, and in the cities it would do just fine.

Overtipping is not considered offensive, but it is seen as showing off. Even tips of 5% will probably get you better service next time, but it's still not necessary, since most people are getting paid a decent wage.
Guido Claessen <mrguido@stack.nl>
Winnipeg, CA 03/12/01

I have a friend who lived in Paris who recommended that I NEVER leave anything extra for a tip. On a recent trip there, however, I saw our waitress receive a 100FF tip from a table of French patrons and she was ecstatic! After witnessing this, my boyfriend and I made it a point to always leave at least a few extra coins (I don't think everyone needs to leave 100FF; that was a big tip!). I think people need to use caution when deciding to leave a tip or not; it seems like tipping in Europe may not be such an abominable ("American") custom after all.
Joy I. <SmileyJoyz79@aol.com>
Chicago, IL USA 03/11/01

"Service included" means simply that you don't have to pay anything but the price stated on the menu. If the service is not included, it means that they can force you to pay an additional 10% or whatever the service is. This has little to do with tipping, which varies within Europe and even within the countries and even between different types of restaurants or pubs. As a rule of thumb, it's less than 15-20%, but if you hand a waiter around here 20 cents spare change for a bill of 50 USD, don't expect a thank you.
Hans
Germany 02/13/01

Service, usually written "servis compris" or something similar, is the service charge added to your bill--what we would call a "tip." Where this is a mandatory add-on it's usually 15% (sometimes only 10, but rarely).

If your service has been very good it's not uncommon to leave an additional tip. This can be just the loose change that comes from your bill.

Where service isn't added, it's expected (hoped for) that you will leave an adequate tip of 15/20%.

In Europe, much more than in the US, the service charges are usually added to the bill. Read the charges and act accordingly.
Mel <oofdah338@aol.com>
Aurora, CO USA 02/04/01

Based on Rick Steves' advice, we didn't tip in Bruges, Belgium at the first restaurant we ate it, and we were lucky not to be stoned! Apparently even though sevice is included (as stated by Rick and the menus), the servers think otherwise and plainly state that they want you to leave a tip. And a good one.
F. Johnson
CA USA 08/25/00

Please DO NOT think that because "Service is Included" on your check in France that ANY of the money actually goes to the waiter. It ALL goes to the establishment, which is why it is customary to leave a little extra for the waiter. The law that introduced the "service included" was started because restaurants were screaming about having to actually pay their waitstaff a decent salary.
Andrew <andrewc@funcow.com>
Toronto, ON Canada 08/20/00

In Europe, credit card use is very confusing. Unlike in the States, Italian waiters are not allowed to alter/add to the dining total after they have imprinted your card. You either have to tip in cash, or they have to make a new imprint. We did not have this problem in Switzerland, only in Italy. I resolved the problem by telling the waiter to, say, "add 10%."
Steve
USA 07/08/00

In Italy you must take your bill with you when you leave--at restaurants and at stores. A Franchise Tax Police can ask anyone near an establishment to present their receipt. If you do not have one, you pay a fine and the establishment does too. No wonder they push that little paper so hard on you! This was told to me by a local friend there. Its reasoning is to make sure that taxes are paid to the government.
Micro <micro_scr@hot.com>
Irvine, CA USA 06/17/00

We just returned from an extended trip through Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland and northern Italy. We tipped 0-15% based on how well we like the service. We were told in Holland that when the service was included to only add 5% if we were really impressed with the service...back to our 15% max. We had no problems with anyone as to what they received or what they expected.

The only problem we witnessed occured in Como at a cafe across from the ferry landing. A customer left her tip on the table and a local beggar came by and took it off the table. Waiters went flying after her, knocked her plastic cup from her hand, took what they apparently thought was enough, kicked her in the rear end and sent her on her way. She must not tip them well enough when she eats there...
Bill <wgg@metro.net>
Santa Rosa, CA USA 06/16/00

Before you can decide if you'll leave a tip, you need your dinner bill! But European restaurateurs consider it rude on their part to present the customer with the bill before it has been requested--it would be like saying to the customer, "Pay up and get out!" So, in most cases you need to signal the waiter that you are ready for your check, otherwise you will wait a very long time. I found that catching their eye and making a "scribble on a notepad" gesture was understood and accepted as "we would like the check, please."

Once you get the check, phase two begins. It may take a few more minutes to get their attention that you have credit card or cash ready to pay the bill. If they don't see it on their own after a few minutes, catch their eye and discreetly hold up the little payment tray with the check and your card or money on it to show them you have payment ready. It then may take a few more minutes to get your slip or change. DO NOT chase after the waiter or go to the till with your payment. You will likely get an insulted look from the waiter, because they consider this an affront to their efficiency as a server. It's true, I've done it.

I got this information from a native Parisian. She said you should allow 15 minutes from the time you signal for the bill until you can get the process wrapped up and get out of the restaurant. She also indicated that if you were satisfied with the service it is customary/ acceptable--but not absolutely necessary--to leave 10 Francs (per table or group) over and above the "service compris" on the bill. Note the above applies to sit-down restaurants. If you are in a small cafe where the solo server is working chiefly behind the bar, is is acceptable to go to the till at the bar to present payment on your way out.
<larry_morris_sk@yahoo.ca>
Canada 06/10/00

Tipping in Germany is common. The service is included, which means that you don't have to tip in a restaurant, pub, etc. if you don't want to, but the vast majority of customers do. The rough guideline is 10% (rather go for the 5% than the 15%). The tip is included while paying, i.e. when the waiter presents the bill, one states how much one wants to pay including the tip. If one doesn't want any money back, one states "Stimmt so." Tips aren't left on the table (with the exception of very good restaurants, where also higher tips are the norm.) I guess that this explains some of the experiences with waiters disappearing with the change. They probably interpreted the situation as being tipped.
Hans
Bonn, Germany 06/09/00

To Nancy (below), re-think your opinion. You are not "at home." If those people need to be paid in cash to make their living, then you should oblige. Only a fool would try to support themselves completely by credit while abroad. Surely you brought along some spending money for tips and knickknacks, right?
Jimmy Fino
USA 06/06/00

I work for tips here in the states. I am NEVER offended when somebody asks me the proper tipping etiquette. I plan to ask when I visit the continent.

USA 06/06/00

In France, I've been told that 'le service est compris' ('tip included') is law, so you shouldn't have to tip there; it is customary to leave an additional 5-10 Francs if you wish. I almost had an argument with a florist in Paris who charged me 190FF for a bouquet. I gave him a 200FF note and asked him to just keep it. He rather vehemently made it clear that he was not going to do that. And then it took him about 10 minutes to find a 10FF coin for my change!

As to the contention below that Europeans don't expect to be tipped, our experiences differ. We live smack in the middle of England, eat at places that have never seen tourists (unless we took them) and every restaurant server we encounter expects a tip if they bring food to your table. Tipping the publican for a pint is offensive, however, as someone pointed out below...

In Italy I asked a waiter if the service was included, even though the menu said, 'Il servisio e incluso', which is rather easy to translate. He told me that the service was not included. I gave him a little extra tip for his brashness...

In any country, 15% is too high, 10% is the absolute maximum. If you just remember that France is always different, and do 8-10% everywhere else, then that's another simple solution.
Bob L.
Derby, UK 06/01/00

Round up or not at all. The bill is 195FF, I leave 200FF if the service is good, otherwise I leave nothing extra. I tip taxi drivers only if we have conversation and they appear friendly. Quiet, gruff drivers who only ask for your destination do not perform additional service which requires additional gratuities. I always leave something for the maid who cleans the room. And I always put something in an envelope for the desk staff if they have provided directions, reservations or information.

Remember, this is not the States. Most service professions pay adequate salaries; overtipping is considered insulting and brazen to Europeans.
Johnny <ontheroad@comdot.com>
Fort Worth, TX USA 05/31/00

It's never easy! If you can, follow locals' practice from what you can observe. Then, if traveling by plane, there may be a guide to tipping in the reference section of your in-flight magazine, along with the normal cost of transport between the airport and the city center.

Otherwise, ask! Never be intimidated by others; never be insensitive to those who clean, cook, serve others. I am American but have lived in Europe and Asia for four years each and everywhere is different. In every country, some will be grateful, some will sneer, but what you give to those who are grateful should outweigh the rude reactions of those who sneer. Europe's service is truly improving, and with liberalization more and more people do live off their tips. Happy travels!
Anonymous
HK 03/19/00

I returned yesterday from a two-week auto trip through northern Spain with my college-age daughter, who spoke "college Spanish." The meal tipping situation was confusing. Sometimes the menu said "servicio y IVA (their 7% sales tax) includo," but usually nothing was written (except if IVA was not included it had to say that, and IVA would be added separately to the bill). We would ask "es el servicio includo" when the bill or change was brought. Usually if IVA was included, the answer was that service was, too; otherwise we tipped 10%. In touristy areas such as Madrid, usually we were told that service was not included. Once in Madrid when we had eaten lightly and paid in cash, the answer to our question about service being included was "no, but don't worry about it." We figured the server thought we were low on money!
Richard Foote <rcfoote@prodigy.net>
Cleveland, OH USA 03/18/00

Nancy (below), this may or may not be true for your story but even in the United States I tip in cash when paying with a credit card. A tip written onto a charge card bill may, or may not, make it into the waitperson's pocket.
susan
seattle, wa USA 03/17/00

My family spent two weeks in Budapest, home of my husband's ancestors. We loved the city, the culture and the people but hated going out to eat. Why? Because the majority of restaurants who advertise they accept payment by credit card demanded--sometimes very aggresively--the tip be paid in cash. If we had cash it wouldn't be necessary to use the credit card!
Nancy <r.decksa.b. baer.com>
Reston, VA USA 03/06/00

We are Americans living in the U.K. Tipping was a dilemma at first but now it's a breeze. In pubs we don't tip the bartender when ordering drinks and we don't tip when the food order is taken at the bar. We do tip everywhere else, including our hairdresser and my manicurist. The British (outside of London) don't seem to expect a tip, but one is always appreciated when left. My husband, being the typical American businessman, did however have to learn to tip less than the 20% he would in the States. 10% is quite typical for British to leave but we've settled on 15% and feel comfortable with that. We've done the same in Belgium and the Netherlands with the same results.
Pat <pr.girgenti@dtn.ntl.com>
Witney,Oxfordshire, UK 02/01/00

The first time I entered a British pub I took a seat at a table (the only one empty was dirty) and waited for someone to come around and take my order. A woman quickly came by and began to clear the table. I asked her for a pint of beer and she asked, "Where are you from?" I told her, and she replied, "Well here in Britain we're uncouth and you have to go to the bar to order." I was taken aback but went up to the bar. When she gave me my order I paid her and told her to keep the change. I have many friends who work in bars and I know that the only way they make a living is through tips. She asked, "What's this for?" "For you," I replied. "Why don't you keep your money. You're going to need it for your trip," she shot back in a nasty tone. I was stunned. I apologized and sheepishly returned to my booth. She must have thought that I was another rich American throwing all of my money around. I wasn't! I had saved for years to travel to Europe. I was just trying to not screw over a fellow working person. Obviously over-tipping by Americans is a big problem in Europe.
Richard Woolf <woolf@fuse.net>
Cincinnati, OH USA 01/09/00

Don't tip in Europe, or at least not as much as in the US. Here in Europe we can assume waiters are paid enough by their employers. It's their matter, not mine, to pay them decent wages. Would you tip the cashiers in the supermarket? 10-15% tipping is an American habit, but now you're not in the US and people will see your tip as a waste of money.
European
11/11/99

My friends and I just returned from a house/car exchange in the Netherlands. My friends' guide books said "no tipping" in eating/drinking establisments. Our hosts were appalled. They said they always leave 10-15%.
Mary Small <smallmaryc@aol.com>
Waikoloa, HI USA 10/13/99

Travelled Germany, Austria, and Italy this summer. I tipped over there like I do in the U.S. If I liked the sevice I left more, if not less. I never got the impression from any server that they were insulted by a tip. Quite the contrary, they seemd to really appreciate the tip and I could look forward to friendly, courteous service if served by them again. I tipped the waitress in the bar of the hotel that we stayed three nights at in Austria when we went down for drinks. Nothing extravagant, I think it was 5DM. For the rest of the stay I had a new best friend. If she saw me or any of my family she came over and talked to us about Austria, the U.S., her family, whatever. I found this to be fairly typical. I think a tip just shows that you appreciate them, just like in the U.S. So my advice would be to tip just like you were at home.
Dan
Houston, TX USA 09/16/99

20 plus years of traveling in Europe and knowing and observing Europeans have taught us two things concerning tipping. Ask and observe to find the custom in the country you are in and then do what the locals do. A dear French friend who now lives in Spain told me this during our visit this year: "People think all Americans are rich because they tip. They think they must be if they have money to throw away like this." If service in included, round up but do not tip in the customary AMERICAN percentages unless a really extraordinary service has been performed.
Pat <tpmerrell@msn.com>
Myrtle Beach, SC USA 09/06/99

my guess is that the non-tippers writing below are people who have never worked in the service industry i.e. waiter, waitress, maid. regardless of the country i am visiting i always tip taxi drivers, maids and restaurant staff. if you can afford to travel i believe you can afford to tip. it doesn't have to be a lot. following this custom has smoothed my way in many situations. it also makes me feel good.
for what it's worth
seattle, wa USA 08/27/99

In England, the locals told us that they never tip, and the bartenders at the pubs seemed offended by being tipped. However, in France, even with "service compris," the service people appreciated the attention. A local friend told us that if you like the service in France, tip.
Jonathan Pierce <ja_pierce67@hotmail.com>
Seattle, WA USA 08/06/99

while in russia we left tips for the room service every day and at the end of our stay for the waiters. but in mainland europe we left no tips
b mc auliffe <bmcaul2058 @ aol.com>
fort salonga , ny USA 07/18/99

When were in Florence for a week I started leaving a few thousand lire for the maid. Every time I did this we got more and more towels. It became a standing joke between my wife and me as to how many towels they would leave.
Bob Bailey
USA 07/16/99

In Germany, the tip is figured into the bill. You round up to the next number, or the nearest multiple of five, or the nearest multiple of ten (depending on the service). This rounding up is called Trinkgeld. If you want to leave her or him the total bill that you are giving, just say "Stimmt so."
Frank Anthony <fanthony@digisys.net>
Whitefish, MT USA 06/25/99

In Austria it is very common to tip; more it is kind of tradition, because the waiters/waitresses LIVE from it (their regular payment won't be enough). Especially in Vienna and the "Wein-Viertel" (wine regions around Vienna). The usual amount is 10% of the bill, but it depends whether you liked the waiter/waitress. And of course only tip to a round number. The usual procedure is as follows: the waiter/waitress tells you the bill, then you say what you want to give (bill + tip; e.g.: bill is 90S, you might say "100 please"), while handing over the money. If you're handing the exact amount you just say "Stimmt so", which means "it's ok like this".
Paul <bonoboss@hotmail.com>
Baden, NÖ Austria 06/09/99

I am one who hates the whole tipping scene. Please Americans, do not tip in Europe....they do not expect it and we are forcing, in my opinion, a lousy system on them if we do tip. If you have any doubt...DON'T...please.

USA 05/27/99

In France, we noticed that locals would round up their bill for exceptional service. Everything we read said if service was "compris" then don't tip, so we asked. They said if you like the service, leave something.
glenn <ghuff@kltymail.com>
dallas, tx USA 05/17/99

I was told not to tip in Spain unless you are at a very upscale restaurant. My experience there has been that no one, including taxi drivers, expects a tip. We had one taxi driver in Madrid refuse one, although another one did accept a tip (he gave us a tour, though).
Anonymous
USA 05/02/99

Things have changed in Italy since my last visit in 1995. A cover (coperto) still exists virtually everywhere, but service (servizio) is very spotty. This was confusing. We tipped in "coperto" places if the service was exceptional. We did not tip in "servizio" places. There needs to be an international tipping policy.
DFDaily <dfdaily@juno.com>
Seattle, Wa USA 05/02/99

Watch out for the fast-pick-up-involuntary-tip. I had this happen to me twice on two trips to Munich (I should have learned the first time!). The waiter brings your beer and you give him a bill. He makes the change and sets it in front of you. Grab it immediately! If you don't, he will and be gone. The first time it happened, I was too uncertain and embarassed to speak up, but I had no problem getting my change back the next time.
Lori Heathorn <Heathorn@compuserve.com>
Palo Alto, CA USA 04/19/99

I am British, and as far as I and everyone I know is concerned, a service charge, if included on the final bill, is the same as a tip. I would NEVER pay the service charge and then leave more money for the waiter or waitress. I very rarely tip barstaff and hardly ever tip taxi drivers more than 50p. No, I am not tight-fisted, just acting within the social norms of the UK. You are NOT obliged to pay a service charge if you don't want to, nor do you have to pay the suggested amount.
Nigel Doran <Nigel.Doran@BBC.co.uk >
London , U K 04/11/99

Here in Northern Italy I never see Italians leave tips on the table. Since you pay at the register in many, many places, we have taken this to mean tipping isn't done. we will leave a few thousand lire at our favorite places for our special waiters and waitresses. be careful not to over-tip anywhere, thereby looking like flashy Americans showing what you've got - not cool!
alice <CMAliceC@aol.com>
Verona, Italy, USA 02/20/99

since service charges are automatically added to the checks in europe, i don't consider them tips--to me it is the price of the meal, because tips are optional and these charges are mandatory. therefore, i tip--or NOT--the waiter and other service persons according to the treatment i receive.
carol
ca USA 02/16/99

In Ireland and the UK, much has been written about "tipping is not necessary". Not true! As in America, waiters/waitresses and bartenders are paid far less than most employees. They DO rely on tips and it is not an insult to tip them. If you are in a large city like London or Dublin or Edinburgh this may be true, but not in smaller towns. I watched a bartender in Killarney work his keester off for about $8.00 in tips for the entire night. This was because Americans have been told not to tip!
Nancy Lowry <nswlowry@aol.com>
Charleston, SC USA 02/10/99

"Service compris" seemed to be a thing of the past on our recent trip to France. I miss it--much easier than trying to figure a tip in francs!
Rebecca <susan2@cybersouth.com>
USA 11/21/98

A few years ago, my son and I ate at a restaurant on Burano, the lace island in Venice. We were early for dinner, but we wanted to catch the ferry back to Venice proper. We were cheerfully served a delicions dinner. The service was exceptional, so we left a hefty tip. As we walked down the street, a passerby told us that someone was chasing after us. It was our waiter, waving our tip and yelling that we had forgotten our change. We insisted that he keep it. He was surprised and pleased.
Judy Goodlet <JudyG35@aol.com>
Silver Spring, MD USA 10/08/98

When we went to France it was necessary for us to buy a phone card in order to make just two short local calls. Of course there was still credit on the card, so before leaving the hotel to return to the States, we offered the card to our hotel desk clerk. He was happy to take the card, and would certainly be able to make better use of it than we would by keeping it in our scrapbook. (Not exactly a "tip", but still a nice thing to consider doing).
llk
USA 09/28/98

I always give tips. On my first day in a hotel, I always give the maid a tip on my first day. Then the rest of my stay is heaven. I even give tips to the waiters in free buffet breakfast on my first day. I remember I stayed in a First class hotel (Germany)for two weeks....the head waiter remember my name and what I like to eat every morning. One hotel guest make a comment to me "Why the waiters know me and why I am being treated different from other hotel guest. I say " Give them tips" and " Talk to them, try to speak their language"." Smile" Don't be an ugly american.
J. Loyola <sinegang@hotmail.com>
Williamstown, NJ USA 09/24/98

Just returned from 3 weeks in Italy. I love tipping! There were times when the service was so spectacular that it would of been out of place not to have done it. People helping with language barriers. Chefs with special service. I loved it. This is of course ontop of the bread charge that comes with every meal. A nice maid turning down the sheets, what is the problem. Tip her. I work in the service industry and always appreciate the extra, just as I enjoy giving it. Tip and tip well is my motto.
Jim Coolidge <tj@hawaii.rr.com>
Honolulu, HI , HI USA 09/21/98

Be careful when you pay your bill in Hungary, especially in Budapest. I paid 3,000 Forint for a dinner that cost 2,540 Forint. They took 460 Forint ($2.25 US) in tips, and the waiter refused to return my change. The next morning I got my change back and I gave a tip in the normal fashion.

USA 08/05/98

[Editor's note: This sounds to me like a case of cultural misunderstanding rather than a problem with unscrupulous waiters. It's a good story to learn from. In many countries, it is common practice to round the bill up as a way of tipping. It is possible the waiters expected a tip just like American waiters do. Following Hungarian cultural norms, they assumed the "change" meant for them.]

In Eastern Europe, it is often customary to hand the tip directly to your waiter or waitress rather than leave it on the table. Once you've requested your bill, your server will hand you the bill, and then wait patiently for you to pay, providing your change on the spot. Sometimes you have to hurry to hand them a tip before they run away! (Many don't expect a tip but are very grateful when you give one.) I found this to be especially true in places like Hungary and Poland which have not become as "westernized" yet as Prague, for example.
J.V. Siegel <jvsiegel@aol.com>
Los Angeles, CA USA 07/16/98

I always tip for maid service in hotels (amount depends on level of luxury) and leave a thank you note with it. If this work ever becomes mostly men's work, I'll probably stop this practice, because it will mean maid service has become a well-paid career. If the owners of the hotel are literally doing all the work I probably wouldn't leave a maid tip.
Carol Kraemer <ckraemer@soml.com>
Windsor, CA USA 06/04/98

While in Germany and Austria our tour guide stated to "round up" for restaurant tip. The service would be added to our bill and paid directly to management.....
Kathy Hamel <khamel@phcs.com>
Bedford, MA USA 06/02/98

With taxis I always round up the fare. When dining, if it's not clear on the menu whether service is included, as Rick notes, just ask. They always know what you're talking about and it's never been a problem. I usually leave a little extra if the waitperson has been attentive, chatty or just helpful.
Bob Norem <rln1@ix.netcom.com>
Modesto, CA USA 05/26/98

With taxis I round the bill up--around 10%. I tip in restaurants (when it says service not included on the menu). If there's any doubt in a restaurant, I ask the waiter before ordering. In many countries, especially in the North, I find tipping no longer a part of eating out. There still is the fuzzy difference between "service" and a tip. If the "service" money is just going to the management, it's certainly not a tip. But if the waiters are being paid a decent wage, perhaps tipping is not appropriate. I have never tipped for maid service in a simple hotel. I also tip when someone does me a service which is a kind of chore with no cost (e.g. the farmer who walks back to the Etruscan tomb and unlocks the door to let me in).
Rick Steves <rick@ricksteves.com>
Edmonds, WA USA 05/13/98

Taxi drivers just expect you to round your fare up to the nearest whole number. We often throw in an extra few coins if they've been helpful with sightseeing tips, loading or unloading bags, or if they make a valiant attempt to speak English to us.

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To Tip or Not to Tip in Europe????

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