Last summer I ate dinner in a restaurant in Berlin somewhere in Prenzlauer Berg. (I can't remember the name - Russian I think.) When the waiter brought the bill it was in English and specifically said that the tip was NOT included in the bill. I've never seen this before on my continental travels - is it getting more common?

Do the suppose the bills written in German say the same thing?

Sorry - that should have read "Do you suppose.." (I shouldn't have had that fourth breakfast margerita.)

I have seen this on English menus a few times in Europe. Usually I ignore it. Sometimes I leave a little change (less than two Euros).

I consider myself to be a "good" tipper. In Europe I usually round up my bill if paying by credit card (usually around 5 - 10%).

Is there a different expectation of tips from Americans in Europe?

I've always heard that it was in bad form to leave coins on the table in Germany after a meal. True or False?

I've not seen it in Germany, but it seems to be very common in Prague to state 'tip not included'. My belief is they're preying on the gullibility of American tourists to pony up 15-20% as is custom in the US.

Last trip one Czech waiter become confrontational/indignant at the normal European round up a couple of %. When a Czech colleague in the group chimed in in native language he backed off quickly.

Normal practice in Germany is to simply tell the waiter to round up the bill to a specific amount, either when paying by credit card (before they put it into the system) or by cash tableside.

So is gratuity not included in the bill in Berlin or Germany like it is in France?

One thing about credit card receipts they bring to you to sign when you're in an overseas restaurant is that there is no line to add a tip as is the case in the US.

So either the gratuity is already included in the bill or they don't want their tip paid through credit card. American waiters prefer cash too, as they don't have to report it as income.

But people who are using credit cards to pay their restaurant bills are doing so because they prefer not to carry cash around. Also, often you don't have small bills or coins handy either.

"One thing about credit card receipts they bring to you to sign when you're in an overseas restaurant..."

One thing about "overseas" - wherever you live - is that ALL such generalisations are complete bunkum.

Bird,

as a German, I can simply say: They tried to cheat you. Period.

For tipping rules in Europe, see this recent thread:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34944713

One generalization I think you can make is in the United States, it is rude to tip with coins. However, in most countries, the smallest paper is the 5 note. I'm not leaving a 50% tip for a $15 meal in Europe, so coins are ok for a tip.

I don't think that you can make the generalization that in the US it is rude to tip with coins - unless of course the coins do not add up to a reasonable tip. Most people I know who tip in cash leave whatever change is left over plus some bills.

generally speaking, yes

Bird wrote: "I consider myself to be a "good" tipper. In Europe I usually round up my bill if paying by credit card (usually around 5 - 10%)."

That's not being a good tipper. That's being extravagant, treating European workers as if they are paid third-world rates of pay, and distorting expectations (leading to the sort of thing you mentioned in your original post -- in other words, it is people like you who triggered the bad behaviour).

How would it go down in NYC if I gave a 5% tip? Badly.

How would it go down in Paris if I gave a 10% tip? Badly, but in a different way.

When in Rome...

A 5% tip is considered extravagent and the cause of generating bad behavior?

Bird, I have never ever seen anything like that on a German restaurant bill. Of course the tip is not included, otherwise it would not be a tip. The service is included in the bill, and German waiters receive decent wages, so they are not dependent on tips for their living.
It's entirely up to you if you tip and how much. The tip is a reward for good service. Usually we round up a bit to the next full Euro or a bit more. 10% is considered a generous tip. If the service and/or the food is crap, it's all right not to tip at all.

That's not being a good tipper. That's being extravagant, treating European workers as if they are paid third-world rates of pay, and distorting expectations (leading to the sort of thing you mentioned in your original post -- in other words, it is people like you who triggered the bad behaviour).

I think you need to speak to someone who works somewhere that tips are given and ask THEM if they feel like they are a third world worker because someone gave them a generous tip.

I have seen seen several credit card bills that have a line for the tip in Germany before, but they were in German, and did not specifically point the fact out on the bill.

--I have a friend in Sweden who says that he usually leaves a 10% tip at a nice restaurant for good service.

Padraig,

Does the same also apply to hotel staff? If so then I have innocently offended plenty of Europeans by leaving a few Euros on the pillow.

Bird,

We have had discussions in other threads on tipping in Europe, and the first thing that should be clarified is that customs vary from place to place. In Ireland, where I live, 10% on a restaurant bill is fairly normal.

In a lot of continental Europe (but not all of it) "service included" is intended to mean just that -- tip not particularly expected. The servers are paid a living wage that is not calculated on the basis that they might also receive tips. If a server does that little bit extra, a modest token of appreciation might be appropriate (perhaps a couple of euros) but it seems to me that a smiling "thank you" is as much appreciated. One shows respect by how one behaves, not by giving money.

Human nature being what it is, some service staff will try it on with tourists, and I have experienced this, just as you apparently did in Berlin. In my book, it is at best sharp practice and in some cases there is direct dishonesty involved (I have seen 15% added in manuscript to a bill where service was included). That's what I mean by distorting expectations.

Europeans do not usually leave tips for housekeeping staff. There might be more of a case for it, as they tend to be badly paid. Mind you, in some small hotels, it might be the same people who serve your evening meal!

To Dukey I say that I would prefer to give gifts to those in greater need than those who serve my meals. In general, people will not refuse tips that are given to them, but do not suppose that they will respect or like you any more for being so easily parted from your money.

Tip advice. Are you planning to return to this restaurant? Any cash is welcome. Some card tips never get to the waiter. Try this; At a bar tip after the first drink. Note the next service. Don't be shy, ask the 'wait person' about tipping.

And do it with nice clean dollar bills.

Try tipping an Irish barman after the first drink: he will consider you some kind of idiot, possibly a dangerous one. You'll still get your second drink, but in between he'll be down at the other end of the bar conversing with those he considers real people.