We are 2 families (total of 8 people) who have hired a mini-van with driver for 5 days in Ireland. What is the proper gratuity for the driver? Also is gratuities in restaurants and pubs comparable to U.S (18%)?

Is this just for tranport from place to place - or is this really a personal guide - who guides you everywhere - as opposed to just driving? That would make a substantial difference.

Europeans seem to tip less than we do - so I do only 15% unless the tip is included.

In restaurants, the general consensus is to tip about 12-15% (however - sometimes service charge is already included on your bill - so watch out for that!).

In pubs, you don't need to tip unless you are getting served to your table. The size of the tip depends. If you're buying a round of drinks that comes to €19, just give €20. Or, alternatively, if you're staying for a while, just leave an appropriate amount at the end of the night.

18% is too high. Americans tip much higher than the euro standard. 10-15% for a meal and nothing in the poub if you order from the bat and some change or the remaining cash after a round (Not more than a euro) if you are at a table being served. Don't go overboard.

"American tip much higher than the Euro standard"..so what? Tipping is purely personal and should be based on how well you feel the individual involved performed their services. Nobody here, or anywher else can predict that since it is about as subjective as you can get.

Nobody is going to think you are stupid because you gave them a "big" tip..generous maybe...

The "proper" gratuity will always end up being what you think it is..nothing more and nothing less..perhaps that's why they call it "independent travel."

Americans do tip higher - but this is because restaurant prices and staff wages are usually much lower to allow for larger tips! Europeans will, as stated before tip at around 10 per cent. Americans tip at breakfast too, this is virtually unheard of in Europe.

However, back to the original question, tip at 12.5% if the service was excellent, however, if it was simply average - e.g. good service in a moderately priced restaurant - a 10% tip will more than suffice.

I'd stick at a fixed tip for your driver as you have them for five days, tip after you've finished with their services. If you could advice how much you're paying for this service it would be easier to judge how much you should tip him. If he acts as a guide rather than just a chauffeur a much larger tip is in order. Maybe even as much as two to three hundred EUR - how are you working this - do you hire the van and then pay him to drive it or one company provides the full service?

"Tipping is purely personal and should be based on how well you feel the individual involved performed their services. Nobody here, or anywher else can predict that since it is about as subjective as you can get."
So OP shouldn't have asked such a question???? Gee, I thought that was what the Fodor's board was for; to get input from fellow travelers.

Hi nt,

As noted, people in the service sector receive higher wages in Europe than in the US, so that tips are generally lower.

Unless you get exceptional service, I suggest you tip about 1/2 of what you would in the US.