Another question on tipping: Breakfast
 

In Germany and Austria what is the custom regarding tipping when breakfast is included in the cost of the hotel/B&B nightly rate? There is no bill presented because it is included. Is it customary to leave anything for the server who brings coffee, eggs, etc?

No it's not.

only Americans may do it - pissing off Europeans who consider it part of the price I believe.

I suppose some people might leave if a tip if they were taking food from the breakfast buffet to eat for lunch.

I love to consolidate threads if possible.

Don't listen to Audere. We now know he is a fat Tory.

". . . if they were taking food from the breakfast buffet to eat for lunch"

Uh-oh, did I just hear a giant can of worms opening?

Hi P,

No, breakfast staff usually are not tipped.

However, I have found that if I plan to stay more than one night leaving 50 cts pp gets me very nice service the next morning.

((I))

In Munich I always give 2€ to my server. I've known her for years and she knows that after I have finished eating, I always want hot chocolate. It's worth it to me for the little extra service.

Don't listen to Audere. We now know he is a fat Tory.>>>>>

*Ahem* A Tory on a diet if you don't mind, you daft bint.

Ira's bribing and scarcat's gratuity to a long-time server are AOK with me - but such a gratuity is not expected nor the norm for typical travelers - obviously you can always give anyone anything and it will be appreciated.

Just that you do not have to and normally most would not i believe.

I have never met a European who was not aghast at the tip envelope to be found in American motel and hotel rooms.

I generally stay in hotels that have a breakfast buffet, so I cannot imagine tipping for serving myself.

"I have never met a European who was not aghast at the tip envelope to be found in American motel and hotel rooms."

Interesting, because I have!
I got a call once from a business contact here who found such a bill and called me to see what was considered appropriate. He was not at all "aghast" because he had read enough and traveled enough in the US to know there are cultural differences between Europe and the US.

But then I suppose some US tourists are AGHAST when they see they need to pay money to use a public toilet in Europe, or AGHAST that a place won't accept US dollars.

It all depends on how savvy the traveler is.

and let's not forget the reason for tipping in U.S. - underpaid wait peopel who depend on tips for much of their salary

the counterpart in Europe is probably getting a living wage and benefits (has to in France, right Jack? - not sure but that's my understanding.

so it's like tipping a store clerk in a supermarket, train conductor, etc. IMO

if i know a worker depends on me for wages i tip even though the grovelling system provokes me

The tip envelope in American hotel rooms.

Is that for the person who cleaned the room before you arrived, or the one who cleaned it after you left?

I suppose that what surprises me as a European is that American hotels advertise a price, but that is not the price you pay. Firstly, tax is added, and then you are supposed to leave a tip for someone you never meet.

In Europe, room cleaning is generally included in the price.

Well others will disagree with me here, but I agree that the standard room cleaning in the US is not "tip material". If I arrive for a one night stay and find a clean room, and leave the next day, why would I tip the cleaning person any more than I would the janitor who cleans the halls, or the person who is washing the linens? The hotel has provided me with a clean room that I'm paying for.

But those envelopes do get a donation from me for multiple day stays when someone has come in and cleaned around my stuff, and/or entered in the late afternoon to bring fresh towels, and turn down the bed and do another clean up. But then I've never had any of those services in a European Hotel (although I suspect high end ones do that). And aren't people just as likely to leave a tip for the maid in the Crillon or Ritz in Paris as they are at a Ritz Carlton in the US?

tipping in a hotel is not considered mandatory in U.S. like it is in a restaurant - i wonder how many tip in hotels except in cases like NewPat says - i'd say relatively few do so Europeans can justly ignore these envelopes - even though the often immigrant folk who work these jobs work hard for low pay and probably no benefits.

my husband and i love to stay in B&B's when we travel. we have never left a tip for breakfast, however we leave a large tip at the end of our stay that covers all the services we receive.
a food tip is not necessary and i don't think it is expected.

If it's a true buffet - with no service - there's no one to tip. If it's a real breakfast that is served we always leave a modest tip - and no one has ever turned it down or been offended.

Tip not expected at breakfast (Germany/ Austria).
Service charge does not equal tip.
Thanks.

Zero. No tip for breakfast. Never heard or seen anything like that in any German hotel, and I wouldn't even think of it myself (I am German). The service is already paid for. The staff won't expect it.

Some hotels have a piggy bank for tips at the reception, the contents will (should) then be equally shared among the staff.

It is, however, more common to leave a tip in the room for the cleaner.

Thanks everyone. Seems so complicated with the tipping in Germany/Austria.

Just trying to be the informed tourist.