Brief Guide to Tipping and Gratuity

On a recent trip to Europe, I made an embarrassing mistake. I had just left a country where gratuity was added to the check, and extra was not required or expected. So, when paying the bill, I left nothing extra. On my way out the door, I could tell the waiter, who had been extra nice, was insulted. I felt so bad I went back the next day to apologize, thank him, and give him a nice tip.

Tipping practices in Europe vary significantly from one country to another and can be quite confusing. It’s always a good idea to look up each country (and sometimes even city) to see what standard practice is. Here's a brief guide to help you navigate the etiquette of tipping in some popular European countries.

General Tips:

• Service Charges: Many European countries include a service charge in the bill. Always check your bill to see if service is included before tipping extra. This may require you to utilize Google Translate.
• Cash Tips: While card payments are common, it's often preferred to leave cash tips. However, often the waiter comes to the table with a handheld card machine. You can easily tell him to make the total a little higher to reflect a tip.
• Discretion: Tip discreetly to avoid appearing showy or disrespectful.

Country-Specific Guidelines

Spain

• Restaurants: Tipping is not mandatory. If you receive good service, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is appreciated.
• Cafes/Bars: Leave small change or round up the bill.
• Hotels: Tip €1-2 for porters per bag and the same amount per night for housekeeping.
• Taxis: Round up to the nearest euro or leave 5-10% for good service.

Italy

• Restaurants: A "coperto" (cover charge) is often included. If service is exceptional, leave 5-10%.
• Cafes/Bars: Leave small change or round up.
• Hotels: €1-2 per bag for porters and €1-2 per night for housekeeping.
• Taxis: Round up or leave 5-10%.

Croatia

• Restaurants: Tip 5-10% for good service.
• Cafes/Bars: Rounding up the bill or leaving small change is sufficient.
• Hotels: €1-2 per bag for porters and €1-2 per night for housekeeping.
• Taxis: Round up the fare or leave 5-10%.

Germany

• Restaurants: A 5-10% tip is standard if service is good. Simply round up to a convenient amount.
• Cafes/Bars: Round up to the nearest euro.
• Hotels: €1-2 per bag for porters and €1-2 per night for housekeeping.
• Taxis: Round up to the nearest euro or tip 5-10%.

France

• Restaurants: Service is usually included (service compris), but leaving 5-10% for good service is appreciated.
• Cafes/Bars: Round up to the nearest euro.
• Hotels: €1-2 per bag for porters and €1-2 per night for housekeeping.
• Taxis: Round up to the nearest euro or tip 5-10%.

United Kingdom

• Restaurants: A 10-15% tip is standard if a service charge is not included.
• Pubs: Tipping is not common, but you can offer to buy the bartender a drink.
• Hotels: £1-2 per bag for porters and £1-2 per night for housekeeping.
• Taxis: Round up to the nearest pound or tip 10-15%.

Austria

• Restaurants: A service charge is often included in the bill, but it’s customary to round up or add 5-10% if the service was good. Hand the tip directly to the server or leave it on the table.
• Cafes/Bars: Round up to the nearest euro or leave small change.
• Hotels: €1-2 per bag for porters and €1-2 per night for housekeeping.
• Taxis: Round up to the nearest euro or tip 5-10%.

What is Insulting?

• Excessive Tipping: In many European countries, tipping excessively can be seen as flaunting wealth and can be insulting. Stick to the standard percentages.
• Forgetting Small Tips: In places where rounding up or leaving small change is customary, not leaving any tip at all can be seen as rude.
• Overtipping in Bars/Pubs: Particularly in the UK, overtipping bartenders is unnecessary and unusual.

Summary

Tipping in Europe is more conservative compared to the United States. Always check if service charges are included, tip according to local customs, and when in doubt, rounding up the bill is a safe bet. By following these guidelines, you can show appreciation for good service without causing offense.