The reason tipping exists in the US is because servers are allowed to make below the minimum wage and servers make below the minimum wage because they're expected to receive tips to make up the difference. It's a stupid anomaly that should go away.

In Europe servers do not make below minimum wage. There are variations from country to country but it's quite different from the US. Some countries will automatically add a service charge to your bill. There is no need to tip anything like 20% in Europe. Most countries, rounding up a few euros is fine. In London and at high end restaurants 10% is fine but most British won't tip at everyday places or more than few pounds.

If you want to tip 20% because you feel guilty, go ahead but the other European posters are right, you're also doing a disservice.

Please tip in Eastern Europe as they make very little, probably just minimum. It's ok to leave a few Euros on the table, not rude at all.

German here, I do exactly what most others here have noted. Tip, but not an extreme amount. I usually round up and add 2-3 euros to that. And yes, don't leave money on the table, that's rude.
I also NEVER tip people working the restroom in stores or public restrooms. The ones with the dishes full of change. Don't tip them, they don't get to keep that money.

Anonymous wrote:OP here again.
It sounds like I should err on the side of tipping a little but not a lot, but the Austrian poster has me curious too... is it like that in France or Italy or Spain where you don't leave the tip on the table?
Also, what about tour guides? Do I have to tip my guides?

If you do a credit card payment (less common in Italy) they almost always bring a handheld ship reading device to the table and you do the transaction right there. they don't leave a CC slip for you to sign. So leaving cash on the table would be odd.

Italy is much more cash based but often the service charge (or a bread charge or some other term) is already added to the bill and an additional amount is not expected.

Read the guidebooks for each country. Trip Advisor also has a tipping section. And agree with a PP that not following custom can be perceived as rude or odd so don't assume that tipping more than custom is the right thing to do.

Anonymous wrote:I tip 0-20 percent - usually 10 percent at a restaurant (if service was shit - no tip) and up to 20 for great service. I don't tip at hotels or anywhere else in Europe, though.

When you say not at hotels, do you mean no tips for bellmen, doormen, maids, etc.?

OP here again.
It sounds like I should err on the side of tipping a little but not a lot, but the Austrian poster has me curious too... is it like that in France or Italy or Spain where you don't leave the tip on the table?
Also, what about tour guides? Do I have to tip my guides?

I'm the French person that posted earlier.

I agree that you shouldn't change the culture. In my country people don't tip because the service is already included (any restaurant, bar, hairdresser etc : everywhere !).

While it can be nice to round up when you eat or drink out, or leave 1 or 2€ to your hairdresser, I believe you don't need to give more than that unless you really have cash to give out and can afford it.

I tip generously when I go to the US, it's part of your culture and even though it's not handy at all and that I'm not used to it I just do it and I'm fine.
Just respect that in my country we don't do the same and giving more money could mean you pity the person serving you ...and that's rude.

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.

tipping is not ridiculous here. Why would you say that?

No tipping at all.

They'll assume you're a local

Depends on the country. Some 10-15%, some just the coins. The only place I don't tip is Japan, where I've had waitresses run after me to return the coins.

I tip 0-20 percent - usually 10 percent at a restaurant (if service was shit - no tip) and up to 20 for great service. I don't tip at hotels or anywhere else in Europe, though.

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.

We traveled a lot in Austria and Germany when we lived in Europe and there is also often not a "line" to add the tip but that's because the bill payment is handled differently. Basically you scan the bill when you get it and tell the server how much you want to pay (including the tip) when you hand them the money or your credit card. It is all together. Example - the bill is 32 euros and you say "35 please" when you hand them 40 euros . Server says "thank you" and gives you five back. If you don't tell them the final figure you want to pay including the tip, they will just give you the change (8 euros) but it's not usual to leave the tip on the table as it is in the US.

We lived in Europe for six years recently and we always tipped ten percent. Twenty is way too much - we observed a number of servers in several countries objecting to tips that were too large and culturally inappropriate. I had some European friends in the country I lived in who would barely tip 5 percent - they subscribed to the "just round up" philosophy but really I thought they were being a bit cheap when we'd had a nice meal out and excellent service. We always tipped ten percent and our servers were always grateful.

Anonymous wrote: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.

I have never tipped in the UK (also from there).

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Culture is changing regardless. I will continue tipping American way, it's more fun.