Help me go to Europe for the first time

[Anonymous]

We will be in London, Berlin and Paris this fall. If you are FROM these cities, please tell me exactly how much to tip, either dollar amounts or percentages. Please don't be vague. A friend told me "Just leave a little something" and I was like "So a dollar?" and she glared at me. I don't know what to do and don't want to seem like the ignorant American that I am.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We will be in London, Berlin and Paris this fall. If you are FROM these cities, please tell me exactly how much to tip, either dollar amounts or percentages. Please don't be vague. A friend told me "Just leave a little something" and I was like "So a dollar?" and she glared at me. I don't know what to do and don't want to seem like the ignorant American that I am.

At full service restaurants? In London, if they don't add a service charge (which is pretty common, usually 10-15%), tip 10-15%. If a service charge, no tip is necessary.

In Paris, service is included in bills. It's customary to then leave a small amount if you had good service- if just two people at a basic restaurant, 2-3 euros. If a bigger group, or more expensive place 5-10 is fine. It's not required and you won't be seen as insufferably rude if you left nothing.

No idea about Berlin, but generally France and Germany are pretty similar with this type of stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We will be in London, Berlin and Paris this fall. If you are FROM these cities, please tell me exactly how much to tip, either dollar amounts or percentages. Please don't be vague. A friend told me "Just leave a little something" and I was like "So a dollar?" and she glared at me. I don't know what to do and don't want to seem like the ignorant American that I am.

At full service restaurants? In London, if they don't add a service charge (which is pretty common, usually 10-15%), tip 10-15%. If a service charge, no tip is necessary.

In Paris, service is included in bills. It's customary to then leave a small amount if you had good service- if just two people at a basic restaurant, 2-3 euros. If a bigger group, or more expensive place 5-10 is fine. It's not required and you won't be seen as insufferably rude if you left nothing.

No idea about Berlin, but generally France and Germany are pretty similar with this type of stuff.

This poster is correct and can confirm that Berlin is the same as Paris. (Just got back from Germany for the 3rd time)

[Anonymous]

Another PSA

Always have change on you because public bathrooms EVERYWHERE cost like .50 Euro

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We will be in London, Berlin and Paris this fall. If you are FROM these cities, please tell me exactly how much to tip, either dollar amounts or percentages. Please don't be vague. A friend told me "Just leave a little something" and I was like "So a dollar?" and she glared at me. I don't know what to do and don't want to seem like the ignorant American that I am.

At full service restaurants? In London, if they don't add a service charge (which is pretty common, usually 10-15%), tip 10-15%. If a service charge, no tip is necessary.

In Paris, service is included in bills. It's customary to then leave a small amount if you had good service- if just two people at a basic restaurant, 2-3 euros. If a bigger group, or more expensive place 5-10 is fine. It's not required and you won't be seen as insufferably rude if you left nothing.

No idea about Berlin, but generally France and Germany are pretty similar with this type of stuff.

OP said you can only comment if you are FROM one of those cities, so I assume you were born there. Eyeroll.

[Anonymous]

I am not from there but in my experience tipping is more of an American thing. Most other places a tip is only given for exceptional service, not people just doing their jobs.

[Anonymous]

I am from Berlin, born and raised. I can help you with tipping there, as well as other things.

In cafes, they will say "Your bill is 7,50 Euro" and expect you to give them 8 Euro and keep the change. Never leave money on the table, always give it to the person as the make change at the table. Same goes for taxis. If you can't do the math on the fly, go find them with the change and hand it to them after you sort out how much to tip.


Germans speak very good English, especially in places like Berlin. Germans also don't care if you speak German poorly as a tourist, but will appreciate it if you at least say something in German first.

Let me know if you want more info on Berlin.

[Anonymous]

Not tipping is not considered a massive slight in London. For places where service isn’t included the servers often seem surprised when we ask them to add it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not from there but in my experience tipping is more of an American thing. Most other places a tip is only given for exceptional service, not people just doing their jobs.

Wrong. Tipping is expected for many jobs, just not the amount that is expected in the US.

[Anonymous]

I live in Paris. I leave an extra euro or two if I had excellent service for a drink or coffee. 10% for excellent (like extra special) service for a meal.

But if you don’t tip at all no one will think anything.

A good example is if a waiter entertains my toddler so I can eat my meal I will leave 10% cash on the table. If a bartender is incredibly attentive, I’ll leave a euro or two for a 8 euro glass of wine.

But really you don’t need to overthink this and no good wait person will care if you don’t get it right. Their income doesn’t depend on it. It’s just to buy a drink or coffee after work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not from there but in my experience tipping is more of an American thing. Most other places a tip is only given for exceptional service, not people just doing their jobs.

Wrong. Tipping is expected for many jobs, just not the amount that is expected in the US.

Okay well you sure showed me. Here's a gold star for your contribution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not from there but in my experience tipping is more of an American thing. Most other places a tip is only given for exceptional service, not people just doing their jobs.

Wrong. Tipping is expected for many jobs, just not the amount that is expected in the US.

Okay well you sure showed me. Here's a gold star for your contribution.

If you don't know what you are talking about, which you clearly don't, and are not from any of these countries (also obvious), then don't contribute. You're guessing. And now just posting juvenile nonsense because you were called out on it. Don't you have homework to do?

[Anonymous]

I am from Berlin and a 10% tip in a restaurant is customary. you can always give more of course, if the service was really good

[Anonymous]

I'm from London but I've also spent a lot of time in Paris and some time in Berlin.

10% is standard so long as service is good and you don't tip everyone all the time, just servers in restaurants / bars.

If they spill your food all over you or bring something that should be hot but it cold etc - they won't expect a tip at the end of the meal even if they fix the issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am from Berlin and a 10% tip in a restaurant is customary. you can always give more of course, if the service was really good

Thank you for this. I'm not the OP but we're considering a trip to Berlin. We'd love more tips if you're willing to share.