gratuity for driver
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
gratuity for driver
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%)?
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
Europeans seem to tip less than we do - so I do only 15% unless the tip is included.
#3
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
"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."
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."
#6
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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?
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?
#7
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 507
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"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.
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.
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
orangetravelcat
Europe
9
Apr 5th, 2009 12:12 PM