Tipping - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

rsobers · 05-15-2004, 07:40 PM

What is the general rule on tipping in the UK, France, and Italy? I'm curious about how much to tip bartenders in particular, but I'm also wondering about restaurants where gratuity is not already included. Thanks.

-Rob

**Canadian Dude** · 05-15-2004, 10:50 PM

In the UK I tip the same as here about 15% on a meal, and 50P on a pint, in France and Italy, watch cause some places have the tip already in the bill, that can be tricky and you may end up tipping twice...If you look at the bill and see something like "service charge" or "gratuity" then you have paid the tip in the bill.

**butterj** · 05-16-2004, 01:26 AM

I can only speak for my self in the uk, but i would not bother tiping anyone on a pint it's not expected and not many people do. but on food about 15% ish, but again i don't think many people would begrudge you for not tipping. don't waist money on tips here especialy if your on a tight budget. have a great trip

James

**Somnambulation** · 05-16-2004, 09:41 PM

I've read that in Italy at least tipping is met with hostility by the locals because they don't want it becoming an expected thing.

**joanofarc** · 05-17-2004, 10:29 AM

when i was in germany and holland, i never really tipped - well, not in the sense that we tip here in the states... my german friend told me you just round up your bill... example bill: $21.50 euro = $22 euro. maybe if you spent more, round up more but for the most part they said that was sufficient... i hope i wasn't being a cheap ass. i had a conversation with a woman there that said (to support your post, som) americans are notorious for their heavy tipping - don't be a sucka!

**tecia** · 05-18-2004, 07:54 AM

i had this same question and was told to just round up like joan said!!!
In some places the will get mad or run after you to give it back!!

**Sijuki** · 05-18-2004, 08:02 AM

Ah... good ol America where we tip everybody and everything. On a busy day I could probably tip out $20-$30 easily. I know that will be one of my bigger problems.. cause I love to tip for good service. It just seems so natural.

**MolsonGirl** · 05-19-2004, 06:31 AM

Yeah I'm here in England and they don't tip the bartenders for a Pint... only waitresses and even then I'm pretty sure it's not that much.

**AdamTheCultured** · 05-19-2004, 10:32 AM

Yes you are right Molson...I tried to tip my bartender on a pint in London and they refused and were almost a bit offended..woops...but waitresses are typically tipped.....I am in Italy now and I have found that a lot of restaurants have the tip or "service" included in the bill....some places have a cover charge and that is not classified as a tip. But I have not found tipping necessary or even accepted so much at bars or clubs...

**Somnambulation** · 05-19-2004, 05:55 PM

I'm usually pretty good about tipping, but I hate when bathrooms have guys standing there expecting tips. I can handle myself in here buddy, thanks.

jilla82 · 08-05-2004, 07:49 PM

im assuming that tipping is not that big in Europe, because im a waiter (student also) and Europeans tend to be the worst tippers

but is it really bad to tip over there? Tipping is like a bad habit of mine, i over tip all the time

**pinion** · 08-05-2004, 11:04 PM

Tipping isn't big in Europe, I hardly tipped at all. The only time I did was if the service was awsome.

Its not bad to tip over there, just not common. I'm sure they'd love the extra money, who wouldn't?

p.s

WELCOME TO THE BOARDS!!!

**ScarlotteDorian** · 08-06-2004, 02:16 AM

alright, all you american MoFo's better be tipping your waiter/waitress at least 20%! i waited tables for about 6 months and that is the percentage that i got taxed on and didn't make night after F**king night. we aren't living in 1960's here!

oh yeah, and i'm not a hostile person. i promise.

**beergal** · 08-06-2004, 04:31 PM

come to my pub please all generous amricans as i would be happy to receive yr tips lol heh im quite lucky at my job i get tips paid in beer

**pinion** · 08-06-2004, 10:03 PM

I wish I got paid in beer

Wolf000 · 08-07-2004, 09:09 AM

I feel for all the 'tenders and bar maids out there! Being from Vegas I overtip EVERY country I travel through.

Where I come from, we all are in the "service industry" and need the extra tip $$$ to live large.

Last time I was in Europe, heading through Italy, I noticed that I became much more embarassed with my generous tipping the further south I went. Mattering which way you view it, its sad to say that the States are overly zealous with tipping.

A great rule of thumb is when in Europe and elsewhere, look over at the bloke next to you and see what he is tipping.

Sidenote: Just moved to Oregon, where I actually saw someone tip their bartender $.25 for a $20 round of drinks!

I could have slapped the girl silly. Why even put the quarter down?

**ScarlotteDorian** · 08-07-2004, 01:26 PM

.25 cents!

jesus, someone needs to hunt that girl down and make her wait tables.

where in oregon did you move to? i'm planning on heading out there myself in a year or so.

**beergal** · 08-07-2004, 05:03 PM

25 cents? can that actually buy u anything? i guess it could get you a 10p packet of crisps lol oh no beergal has had to many tips tonight cos she is feelin rather tip-sy lol

Wolf000 · 08-08-2004, 04:22 PM

$.25 will get you a nice ol' kick in the ass! Man, the people around here (Eugene, OR) are freakin' crazy! I don't think that would buy you a candy bar. Maybe some taffy or something.

If you are coming out to Oregon, Scarlotte, head to Portland first. Its the best thing we have going for us (the only city with decent nightlife). If you are in to the outdoors, camping, hiking, biking, then take some time to get outside the city. Eugene is nice, laid back, border-line boring. But fun to visit.

**space virgin** · 08-09-2004, 10:30 AM

.25c on $20... man. I have not the words.

A friend of mine once got tipped $1 on an $85 tab by a group of 6 forty-something business people. She ran outside after them waving the dollar and said "wait, wait, you forgot this!"

They said that it was for her and she said no, really, it's okay, you can keep it.

I wouldn't really recommend doing that, but it's a good comeback.