On 19/01/06 9:01, in article , "Mike
O'Sullivan" wrote:

Owlman wrote:

During my last trip to Europe (almost 30 years ago), I thought I
recalled that each country had different tipping practices. Has the
EU created uniformity on tipping within EU countries?

No it hasn't. Each country has different practices, as you would expect.
In France, for example, there is a mandatory service charge added to
bills. No need to add anything.


The practice of paying by credit card is such that there is no place
for added tip on the slip, anyway, in Europe. The US it is a constant.

The bill itself, in France should say "service compris". And a bill
should be presented even at a café.

At my usual café, where I know the help and the patrib, I always leave a few
small coins since it establishes a relationship.

At the top restaurants (** and ***) an extra 5% is expected in France.
Since I usually pay by card, I carry some bills with me for that part of
the tip. But generally in France, nobody's nose it out of place
if you leave nothing.

The British can comment on Britain, I seem to recall that in London
some credit card slips has a place for "tip". Am I correct?

Earl