Anonymous
Post 04/19/2023 10:28     Subject: Re:Help me go to Europe for the first time
I wonder why people post questions like this for people to answer and then never appear again? (Or so it seems)
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2023 08:43     Subject: Help me go to Europe for the first time
I am from London. Service charge is commonly included in the UK and you do not need to tip anything if it is. If not, 10 to 15 percent.

You do not need to tip in pubs, and most times you don't. You may do so in higher end bars but it is not obligatory or expected. If you do, 10 to 15 percent is generous.

Anonymous
Post 04/19/2023 08:20     Subject: Help me go to Europe for the first time
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Another PSA

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



We’re in Paris now, and toilettes are more like €1 or €1.50. The big train stations and the shopping mall outside the Louvre are some of the worst offenders.


I've never been to Europe and did not know this! I pee a lot so I need to be prepared with the cash.


FWIW, my DH is like this, and never had to use pay toilets in Paris. Most of the tourist attractions do have restrooms, and between those and restaurants/cafes, he was good.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2023 07:52     Subject: Help me go to Europe for the first time
Anonymous wrote:
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.


Not the poster above, but I'm from Amsterdam and wondering why you assume that the poster is not from there? I would agree that France and Germany are very similar about tips, I typically leave 3-5 Euro when I tip just because I'm so used to the American way now.

No clue about London, they seem to change their practice pretty often and I haven't been in a few years.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2023 07:48     Subject: Help me go to Europe for the first time
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Another PSA

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



We’re in Paris now, and toilettes are more like €1 or €1.50. The big train stations and the shopping mall outside the Louvre are some of the worst offenders.


I've never been to Europe and did not know this! I pee a lot so I need to be prepared with the cash.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2023 07:02     Subject: Re:Help me go to Europe for the first time
Anonymous wrote:
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.


Sure. I'm not this poster, I'm the previous PP who is from Berlin though.

What kind of tips are you looking for?


To the Poster also from Berlin: wo? und wann?
Anonymous
Post 04/18/2023 19:53     Subject: Help me go to Europe for the first time
Anonymous wrote:Another PSA

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



We’re in Paris now, and toilettes are more like €1 or €1.50. The big train stations and the shopping mall outside the Louvre are some of the worst offenders.
Anonymous
Post 04/18/2023 19:39     Subject: Re:Help me go to Europe for the first time
Lucky you, the wine in continental Europe is economical and GOOD. Food is much less expensive than here too. The architecture and art is elevating.
Have a nice trip!