Tipping at European hotel restaurants
Dec 14, 2021, 8:34 am
#16
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: btw Athens & Patras
Programs: Le Club Accor
Posts: 213
My rule everywhere all over the world is 10 % ! My pocket is small !
Dec 14, 2021, 11:48 am
#17
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 17
A plea to all visiting Americans..... Please don't bring your 15-20% tipping culture to mainland Europe. In most countries, taxes and service are already built into the menu prices, unless specifically noted otherwise up front. It's absolutely not necessary to tip further (waiting staff are not paid a pittance as in the US) and it's not expected, though no doubt gratefully accepted! Even where service isn't included in the menu price, the "standard" US practice of leaving a 20% tip is way, way, way above European levels. "Service included" restaurants that then leave a space for additional tips to be added are shamefully trying it on and taking advantage of tourists, as local culture is generally to only tip a handful of coins.
Please always do some homework about the tipping culture in those countries you intend to visit and don't go spoiling a system that works perfectly well for us Europeans!
Please always do some homework about the tipping culture in those countries you intend to visit and don't go spoiling a system that works perfectly well for us Europeans!
Dec 14, 2021, 11:57 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: amex platinum, american advantage, united, ANA, JAP. SPG, marriott
Posts: 1,257
A plea to all visiting Americans..... Please don't bring your 15-20% tipping culture to mainland Europe. In most countries, taxes and service are already built into the menu prices, unless specifically noted otherwise up front. It's absolutely not necessary to tip further (waiting staff are not paid a pittance as in the US) and it's not expected, though no doubt gratefully accepted! Even where service isn't included in the menu price, the "standard" US practice of leaving a 20% tip is way, way, way above European levels. "Service included" restaurants that then leave a space for additional tips to be added are shamefully trying it on and taking advantage of tourists, as local culture is generally to only tip a handful of coins.
Please always do some homework about the tipping culture in those countries you intend to visit and don't go spoiling a system that works perfectly well for us Europeans!
Please always do some homework about the tipping culture in those countries you intend to visit and don't go spoiling a system that works perfectly well for us Europeans!
Dec 14, 2021, 12:04 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Brazil
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, AA Plat, KE elite, United Gold
Posts: 36
Dec 14, 2021, 4:16 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 33
The OP is well aware of the custom. He's asking if it has changed since he was last in Italy. That was an uncalled for dis on OP.
Dec 15, 2021, 3:42 am
#21
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: UK
Programs: Hilton HHonors Diamond,Bonvoy Platinum,Shangri-La Golden Circle Jade,LH SEN,AZ Gold,VS Elevate Gold
Posts: 134
Two hotel restaurants in Italy have had gratuity lines on the bill. I haven't seen this before. Tipping does not seem common at non-hotel restaurants (beyond rounding up when paying cash). On other forums I've been told not to bring American tipping culture to Europe, but maybe that does not apply to restaurants in luxury hotels.
Have I missed something? What is one to do about this?
Have I missed something? What is one to do about this?
In the UK it'S complicated, because a lot of the establishments actually take most or all of the tip.
Best way is to ask the server "do you get the tip or do management get it?" in hotel restaurants.
disclosure: I was born and raised in Italy, lived 30+ yrs in UK, travel regularly and extensively all over Europe and speak the local language of several countries...
Last edited by adpucci; Dec 15, 2021 at 3:46 am Reason: added my source of knowledge
Dec 15, 2021, 3:58 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,522
This said I surely don't want "American conditions" in Germany or elsewhere in Europe but it's a fact people in gastronomy live from the tipps. Many of them earn much less than a course cost per hour and if I got good service I would feel bad not to tipp.
Dec 15, 2021, 5:48 am
#23
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,644
May I ask a related question?
Next week I am going to a so-called luxury, Relais &Chateaux, Michelin-starred hotel - the Gilpin - in the UK Lake District for the four-night Christmas package. I have paid a 50 percent Ģ1700 deposit. I now read on TripAdvisor that people arriving by car are asked to pay the balance in their car before they step foot inside the hotel. If true, is this unacceptable? What do people here think?
Next week I am going to a so-called luxury, Relais &Chateaux, Michelin-starred hotel - the Gilpin - in the UK Lake District for the four-night Christmas package. I have paid a 50 percent Ģ1700 deposit. I now read on TripAdvisor that people arriving by car are asked to pay the balance in their car before they step foot inside the hotel. If true, is this unacceptable? What do people here think?
Dec 15, 2021, 6:25 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,522
May I ask a related question?
Next week I am going to a so-called luxury, Relais &Chateaux, Michelin-starred hotel - the Gilpin - in the UK Lake District for the four-night Christmas package. I have paid a 50 percent Ģ1700 deposit. I now read on TripAdvisor that people arriving by car are asked to pay the balance in their car before they step foot inside the hotel. If true, is this unacceptable? What do people here think?
Next week I am going to a so-called luxury, Relais &Chateaux, Michelin-starred hotel - the Gilpin - in the UK Lake District for the four-night Christmas package. I have paid a 50 percent Ģ1700 deposit. I now read on TripAdvisor that people arriving by car are asked to pay the balance in their car before they step foot inside the hotel. If true, is this unacceptable? What do people here think?
Dec 15, 2021, 12:00 pm
#25
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: amex platinum, american advantage, united, ANA, JAP. SPG, marriott
Posts: 1,257
Where in the OP's post does he ask if things have changed since he was last there? All I see is him asking if a tip line on the bill is something new'
Dec 15, 2021, 3:31 pm
#26
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,856
Asked and answered, so to keep the thread from devolving further into argument, I'm closing it.
RichardInSF, moderator, luxury hotels and travel
RichardInSF, moderator, luxury hotels and travel