Tip in Germany
Dec 4, 2007 | 8:22 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Munich, Germany
Programs: Miles&More Blue, SPG Silver
Posts: 3,452
Dec 4, 2007 | 12:56 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MUC (home), DUS (office), XXX (customer)
Programs: LH, AB, SPG, CC, Sixt, EC
Posts: 6,332
There is no NEED like in the US but of course it's very welcome and not to unusual. Keep the amounts like you would do it in the US if you think the service was good! If you think the service was bad, express that by not tipping at all, everybody understands. No minimum tip or anything like that required!
Dec 4, 2007 | 2:44 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Capetown
Programs: Marriott LT Plat, IHG and Hilton Diamond, LH LT SEN, QR Platinum. BA Silver (going down further)
Posts: 10,235
If the gzy just opens the door of your cab = zero. For carrying the luggage to the room = zero to 2 Euro.
Dec 5, 2007 | 3:33 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS 75k, A3 Gold
Posts: 1,095
In Germany you usually only tip if the service was good.
In a restaurant or a bar: 0% for bad service, 5% if the service was ok, 10-15% if the service was great. More if the waitress is pretty and you expect her to leave with you...
In a restaurant or a bar: 0% for bad service, 5% if the service was ok, 10-15% if the service was great. More if the waitress is pretty and you expect her to leave with you...
Dec 7, 2007 | 9:44 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: CGK
Programs: LH SEN (LH*G), HH Diamond, AB Gold (1W Saph)
Posts: 5,677
The general rule for tipping in Germany is that you round up to the nearest Euro unless the service was bad.
If your bill is 14,30€, you round up to 15€. If your bill is 14,80€, it's prefectly acceptable to round up to 15€, but I usually go with 16€ unless the service was bad.
In taxis, I round up to the nearest Euro so that we (both the cabbie and I) don't have to fiddle around with small change.
If I take advantage of a hotel porter service (which I rarely if ever do), I usually tip a Euro or two.
Other than that, tips aren't really expected. People are paid well enough that they are not dependent on tips - not even the waiters. Don't ever feel bad about not tipping somebody if the service was lousy. You're not taking food off anyone's table, and you've sent a signal to the person providing the service that they need to shape up.
That's why tipping still has its intended function in Germany (and most of Europe actually), which is to reward satisfactory service.
If your bill is 14,30€, you round up to 15€. If your bill is 14,80€, it's prefectly acceptable to round up to 15€, but I usually go with 16€ unless the service was bad.
In taxis, I round up to the nearest Euro so that we (both the cabbie and I) don't have to fiddle around with small change.
If I take advantage of a hotel porter service (which I rarely if ever do), I usually tip a Euro or two.
Other than that, tips aren't really expected. People are paid well enough that they are not dependent on tips - not even the waiters. Don't ever feel bad about not tipping somebody if the service was lousy. You're not taking food off anyone's table, and you've sent a signal to the person providing the service that they need to shape up.
That's why tipping still has its intended function in Germany (and most of Europe actually), which is to reward satisfactory service.