essxjay

I'd like to know how to wave them off without appearing rude. I'm really am quite capable of fetching my rollaboard from the trunk and pulling my rolling bag to the check-in desk and up to my room. If I needed "help" I'd have asked for it -- and paid happily paid for the privilege.

nordic

As mentioned by the OP you can round up. However, at least in Helsinki almost every one pays the taxi bill with a credit card (Amex, Visa, MasterCard, Diners) or a local bankcard so no extra tip is left and not expected. I would say that 95 % of taxis accept credit cards (not always all the cards). In one case I was asked if I could use another card than Amex because of the high comission charged by Amex.

CopperSteve

I don't know if anyone mentioned Spain as yet, but 15% is normal in restaurants. Also, tips frequently cannot be added to credit card payment (at least in Sevilla), so have cash handy for the tip.

Rane

Only if the service is NOT included.

3544quebec

A mildly amusing and relevant article from the Sydney Morning Herald


http://www.smh.com.au/news/tips/grat...235036537.html


If it's Monday, it must be Belgium: so plan to leave 10 per cent on the brasserie plate. Tomorrow, in France, we'll do service compris, though a few euros more may reward an unlikely smile and a spurt of speed. Wednesday? Spain, where those who run restaurants themselves insist that 3 per cent or 4 per cent is quite enough. Thursday means Switzerland and you only need to round up the bill, whereupon Friday offers two choices to finish the week: fly to Denmark, where no extra at all is expected, or out to Argentina, where even the thought of it breaks the law. Welcome to the wonderfully wacky world of tipping.


The one bit I don't understand (about the article, about tipping I understand nothing) is the line about Argentina - is it saying that tipping is against the law. This must be a very new law.

Cloudship

The guides say tip $1 for a porter (UK). Now, does this mean I tip them the equivalent of 1$ (50p), or do I tip them 1 pound? And is it tacky to hand them a pound coin? It seems odd to give someone a coin as a tip.

Rane

Difficult situation.
When I have only one bag I carry it myself.
Otherwise I agree that giving a coin feels odd.
Today one pound has equal shopping power in UK as one dollar has in US.

SmilingBoy

What do you do in Euroland? Always tip €5 (the smallest note)?

It feels more odd to me to leave a note as tip when in the US...

By the way, you could solve your problem by using 1Ģ notes from one of the Scottish banks.

SkiAdcock

Since the UK folk are used to coins, I have no problem w/ tipping w/ the coins vs notes. Same w/ Euros now that I think about it. Cheers.

HereAndThereSC

It's quite similar in Canada. No paper money under 5$. So giving a 1$ loonie or a 2$ toonie is very common, very well accepted.

JP

kahuna1993

In restaurants in Belgium there is always a tax and service charge included in the total bill ; if service is really good one can leave 1 or 2 euro extra as a tip .
In bars/cafés the bill includes everything ( txes and tip ) .
In taxis , there is usually a sign to let the passengers know that taxes and tip are included in the total amount showing on the meter ; a little extra in small change is always appreciated but not obligatory.
In hotels I mostly give 1 euro per bag to the porter .

Horizons

I was just in Barcelona 2 months ago, and my cousin (who has lived there all his life) was wailing on me for leaving 8-10% tips. He swore - in more senses than one - that 5% is the MAX to leave, generally less. Nothing at all is fine, too. I suppose that 10% would be OK in a very, very high-end restaurant, but my cousin disputes even this.

My last partner lives in Sydney and also was all over me about tipping. He insists that Australia takes enormous pride in being a "no tipping" society where everyone earns a living wage. When I traveled with him it was no tips in restaurants, hotels or taxis. Period.

I do have to admit that some countries confuse me -- I was in Argentina earlier this year and had absolutely no idea what to tip anyone. And I think I'm finally getting the hang of taxis in the UK, tho I still fumble when the meter comes to something like £8.60. Or £9 even. That's an easy tenner in the US, but it feels very awkward in London.

heramato

Absolutly correct. In Spain you donīt tip with more than 5% or 10%. Spanish people leave even less than that.

RI2KH2SU

I lived in Hong Kong for a long time. Here is some advice: it is worthless to tip unless you hand the cash to your server. If you add anything to the credit card slips, the restaurant will keep all of it. Just like they do with any service charge they add to the bill. Which is why I would always slip the server a little somethin'-somethin' on the way out the door. They appreciate and remember that, and it serves you well the next time you're in the joint.

WilcoRoger

I should add that in general tipping is not usual in Finland.

As another poster said, if you pay cabs by CC, tips are not expected. If you pay by cash they are not expected either, it's totally up to you if you round up to the next euro.

Restaurants - normally no tipping at all. Bars, night-clubs - you may round up if you wish, tipping no expected. Doormen of same establsihments - if you are a regular, you may tip to ensure smooth sailing in the future, if you are just visiting, why bother.