Tipping

My boyfriend and I are taking a trip to Western Europe. We will be
travelling in France, Germany and the Netherlands. I am not sure what
the proper etiquette is on tipping. I used to be a waitress for many
years and I want to be sure not to offend. I remember chatting with
foreigners in my restaurant about the different tipping practices in
Europe, but I can't for the life of me remember what they said!

Thanks for any help,
Shannon

Shannon wrote:

My boyfriend and I are taking a trip to Western Europe. We will be
travelling in France, Germany and the Netherlands. I am not sure what
the proper etiquette is on tipping. I used to be a waitress for many
years and I want to be sure not to offend. I remember chatting with
foreigners in my restaurant about the different tipping practices in
Europe, but I can't for the life of me remember what they said!

Service charge is added by law in these countries (France certainly). I am
told that one leaves small coins if any brought back as change. This
exlains why wait people in the US inform Europeans that service is not
included. When speaking French in the US with my family, I have had
waitpeople add their tip tothe bill...

Bernard Higonnet

"Shannon" wrote in message
m...
My boyfriend and I are taking a trip to Western Europe. We will be
travelling in France, Germany and the Netherlands. I am not sure what
the proper etiquette is on tipping.

In France, the service charge is included. If you want to, leave small
change, but no more.

Shannon wrote:

: My boyfriend and I are taking a trip to Western Europe. We will be
: travelling in France, Germany and the Netherlands. I am not sure what
: the proper etiquette is on tipping.

In Germany, tipping is just an extra for good service, not an important
income source, so no tipping at all is ok. However, people usually at
least round up to the next full Euro (or 50 cent), even if it's just
to avoid getting a pile of coins in return. And requesting 10 cents
change in a restaurant would be a bit niggardly anyway
Generally, you'll be fine and get a smile with something between 50
cents and two Euros. Anything above 5 Euros will most likely end up
in a stupid look on the waitress' face

When paying, either give exactly the amount you want to pay (check
plus tip) to the waitress and say "Stimmt so" ("stimmt" like "pimp",
just with the two p replaced with "sht" at the beginning and a t at
the end). Or give a bill(s) and tell her what you want to pay (e.g.
amount is 15,70€, you give a 20€ bill and say "17").
Avoid credit cards if possible, it's extra work and they have to
pay the card company. In small restaurants you might even be asked
kindly if you could pay cash even if they accept credit cards. If
doing so anyway, have coins ready for the tip, _do not_ add it to
the card receipt, even if there's a place for it.

Oh, and if for the first time in a German restaurant: If there's
no one approaching you instantly, do not wait to be seated, just
choose a free table (except those marked "Reserviert", i.e.
"reserved").

Regards,
soenk.e

(Shannon) wrote in message om...
My boyfriend and I are taking a trip to Western Europe. We will be
travelling in France, Germany and the Netherlands. I am not sure what
the proper etiquette is on tipping. I used to be a waitress for many
years and I want to be sure not to offend. I remember chatting with
foreigners in my restaurant about the different tipping practices in
Europe, but I can't for the life of me remember what they said!

The first thing to do is to see whether it says that service is
included on the menu. If this is the case then you don't need to tip,
just be your normal polite self and try to get along with the national
condiments.

If service is not included then consider a 5% to 10% tip, possibly
going higher with the posher establishments. Try to judge the
standard of service by local standards, being aware that major
European capitals and major cities tend to be busy places for both
customers and staff.

--
Guy Robinson

[all standard disclaimers apply]

"Shannon" skrev i meddelandet
m...
My boyfriend and I are taking a trip to Western Europe. We will be
travelling in France, Germany and the Netherlands. I am not sure what
the proper etiquette is on tipping. I used to be a waitress for many
years and I want to be sure not to offend. I remember chatting with
foreigners in my restaurant about the different tipping practices in
Europe, but I can't for the life of me remember what they said!

Thanks for any help,
Shannon
This is my practice:
Assuming, as said elsewhere the service charge is included in the bill:
Poor service: no tip request the change and pay exactly to the bill.
Average service: leave the change or round up when paying.
Excellent personal service: could be 5-10% as a reward.
Remember when I had short time,less than an hour, between two trains in
Austria. Found a crowded restaurant. Explained to the waiter, he found one
of the last seats, suggested quick dishes, made the very best for a fast
meal and provided the bill in time. And that's despite there was a full
restaurant. A typical opportunity for a big tip.
L.P

"Paul Dwerryhouse" schreef in bericht
news:KupOb.215539$_x2.427824@zonnet-reader-1...
(Shannon) writes:

My boyfriend and I are taking a trip to Western Europe. We will be
travelling in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Don't tip in the Netherlands. They already charge far too much for food
there.

What kind of bull**** is that? I know a lot of restaurants in the
Netherlands where you can have a good meal for only 10 euro or so.
You would be considered a rude person if you don't tip. Only when service is
really bad, I don't tip. When service is OK/good, I tip approximately 3 euro
for a dinner for two, when service is *very* good I tip anything between 3
and 10 euro for a dinner for two.

Sjoerd

"Sjoerd" wrote in message
...


What kind of bull**** is that? I know a lot of restaurants in the
Netherlands where you can have a good meal for only 10 euro or so.
You would be considered a rude person if you don't tip. Only when service
is
really bad, I don't tip. When service is OK/good, I tip approximately 3
euro
for a dinner for two, when service is *very* good I tip anything between 3
and 10 euro for a dinner for two.

This is merely a subjective practice. I don't eat in fancy restaurants but
hardly ever I pay more than printed on the bill. By the way I don't know how
very good differs from good or decent. Service personnel is supposed to
service. It would be most bizarre if this wasn't the case.

Sönke Tesch wrote:
say "Stimmt so" ("stimmt" like "pimp", just with the two p replaced with
"sht" at the beginning and a t at the end).

Isn't it more like "troglodyte" but with "sh" at the beginning and then a
short "i" sound instead of "rog" and "m" instead of "lody"?

miguel
--
Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/

Sjoerd wrote:
I know a lot of restaurants in the Netherlands where you can have a good
meal for only 10 euro or so. You would be considered a rude person if you
don't tip. Only when service is really bad, I don't tip. When service is
OK/good, I tip approximately 3 euro for a dinner for two, when service is
*very* good I tip anything between 3 and 10 euro for a dinner for two.

On a 10-euro dinner?

miguel
--
Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/