Do you tip in Europe? If so, how much?

[Anonymous]

Seeing lots of conflicting info about tipping practices... there are those that say "No, tipping is not a thing here because everyone is paid a living wage" but others that say "tourists are changing the culture and more people are starting to expect little tips"... I'm going to Europe for the first time soon (Spain, France, Italy) and not sure where to land on this.

[Anonymous]

twenty percent same as ever

[Anonymous]

I usually give an extra euro or two, but I wouldn't tip 20%

[Anonymous]

Read the customs for the particular place you're visiting. Europe is a big place. I usually tip up to round off the bill, plus maybe a euro or two, but that's it.

[Anonymous]

I'm no expert on it, when I go to Europe those I travel with tend to handle this kind of stuff (DH is a dual citizen, grew up spending summers in Europe with family and speaks multiple language as a result). My understanding is that people don't tip at the level we do here, but it is common to leave a small tip (rounding up to some flat amount, how much depends on the size of the tab) for good service. Whenever I'm left to settle a bill, I end up tipping closer to the U.S. standard because I'm never quite sure how much to leave, and I'd rather give too much than too little. The reaction I get from servers tends to be very appreciative, so I'm sure I'm giving more than they usually get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:twenty percent same as ever

Wow. I haven't been in years--but that was certainly not the way we did it when I lived there. The custom in Germany in those days was basically to keep the change--and it was frequently very little. (I'm talking about waiters). This was the German custom, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm no expert on it, when I go to Europe those I travel with tend to handle this kind of stuff (DH is a dual citizen, grew up spending summers in Europe with family and speaks multiple language as a result). My understanding is that people don't tip at the level we do here, but it is common to leave a small tip (rounding up to some flat amount, how much depends on the size of the tab) for good service. Whenever I'm left to settle a bill, I end up tipping closer to the U.S. standard because I'm never quite sure how much to leave, and I'd rather give too much than too little. The reaction I get from servers tends to be very appreciative, so I'm sure I'm giving more than they usually get.

To clarify, when I say round up to some flat amount, it's like rounding up to an even number of euros plus a couple more, or to the nearest 5 euros. I tend to tip more because I am hopeless beyond English, don't know all of the customs and often have a bunch of questions about the menu, so I know they're doing more for me as a tourist than they'd have to do for most of their customers.

[Anonymous]

I've always just rounded up, so basically a bit of change, not the 20% as done here.

[Anonymous]

In the UK (where I'm from) the tip used to be 10%, but now is usually 12-15%. If you didn't think the service was good, you tip less. In France, where my parents are from, tipping is not common - a bit of extra change, etc. I round up to the nearest 5 or 10 euros, or just add an extra euro for coffee, etc.

[Anonymous]

I tip 20% for a good service, adjusting accordingly. Just because. I lived in several countries in Europe for many years. When I lived there I tipped like locals, when I visit I tip like here.

[Anonymous]

Varies quite a bit by country and by service. So different practices for restaurants vs taxis. Some restaurants include the service on the bill, this is common but not everywhere in Italy for example.

Guidebooks will have the tipping policy for the countries you are visiting. In none of the countries you named is service 20%.

[Anonymous]

No tip! Please don't change the culture...tipping here is ridiculous (and yes I tip well, 20% at least and sometimes more) in Italy there's no line for you to add tip when you pay with a credit card.

[Anonymous]

I am French. People don't tip over here.

You can round up when you pay at a restaurant (drinks or meals) but it's not frown upon if you don't

Enjoy your trip !

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No tip! Please don't change the culture...tipping here is ridiculous (and yes I tip well, 20% at least and sometimes more) in Italy there's no line for you to add tip when you pay with a credit card.

+1
Most European countries already add a service charge to your bill. Those who tip are basically tipping twice. Please don't do it.

[Anonymous]

Small, no minal tip. Or nothing