kerouac

I tipped 1 euro today because the bill was a round number for the two of us: 34€ My 20€ note and two luncheon vouchers for 7€ covered the amount exactly, and I only had red coins (0.01, 0.02, 0.05) in my pocket plus two 1€ coins. So I overtipped.

cafegoddess

Please help me handle this situation, the last time I took a cab from CDG to the Latin quarter the fare came to 55 euros but the driver wanted 60 euros. I gave it to him.

The same thing happened in Nice, the driver wanted more than what the meter displayed. Thinking back, I should have asked the porter to help me deal with the cab driver.

klondike

I can identify cafegoddess.

I once had a driver in Paris who was held up by slow traffic and wanted me to pay him and walk the remaining few blocks, with luggage! (I assume he had another fare to pick up) I refused to get out until delivered to the hotel;he fumed the whole way.

Carlux

cafegoddess - did you check the list of extra charges that is usually in the back of the taxi. This can include charges for luggage, and from what I remember, picking you up at the train station. It's a while since I've taken a taxi from the airport, but that could well be the extra charge. These don't appear on the metre.

I'm always struck by how seldom the driver hangs around for a tip. Usually I have luggage, and while I'm getting that sorted out, he's gone, with the fare, but no tip.

xyz123

...well...the credit card slips in Parisian restaurants do not have room for a tip so I guess no tip is expected eh.

cathies

xyz123 I think it's more usual in Paris to tip by leaving some loose change with the bill. I'm happy to be corrected if that' isn't right though.

cafegoddess

klondike, taxi drivers intimidate me in general

Carlux, I will be in Paris later this month, I am going to pay more attention to all the additional fees.

Regarding tipping in the restaurant, because I am in the service business I always tip 10% down from 20 because my husband told me to stop tipping more than that.

AnthonyGA

Ten percent is plenty for a taxi ride.

You don't tip in restaurants in Paris; the tip is included in the bill (and the law requires that this be marked on the bill, although sometimes it isn't). Adding anything additional only advertises the fact that you're a tourist.

Some restaurants may falsely claim that you owe something additional on top of the included tip. They do this because they are dishonest and know that Americans can easily be convinced to add more money. Don't fall for it.

StCirq

I am more than happy to shell out 5 euro for a thorough lesson in the Killing Fields. I could buy a Coke for that in Paris, but a 45-minute history lesson seems a little bit more valuable.

xyz123

Look for the words I believe service inclus or something to that effect on the menu...it's almost always there and tipping is not required nor expected in Paris...a completely different outlook than we have here in the USA (and believe me you won't get any dirty looks or people speaking behind your back if you don't tip).

klondike

You will also see "prix nets" on the bottom of the menu.

At the moment, you'll also notice a lot of hoopla on menus of slashed prices advertising going on because the government lowered the TVA (value added tax) on food or some food?...I just never quite figured out why all the prices didn't go down but only a few...seems rational to me that all dishes would see a "baisse".

BuffaloGirl

Please go easy on us Paris newbies. I just returned from my 1st trip last night. Tipping is a way of life in the US, and it's hard to not leave a tip. I know there were a few times we left a few euros and didn't have to, and it took a few days to really get the hang of not doing so. Oh, well.....I found every waiter to be very polite, patient and efficient, so I didn't mind. Next time I know I will feel more comfortable not tipping.

I totally agree with klondike regarding the taxi drivers.

NeoPatrick

When you ask a waiter in Paris "is the tip included?" he will probably say no -- and he is absolutely right. Service IS included, but that is not the same thing as a tip which is something extra for "special service". If you ask the same waiter "is service included?" he is almost bound to be honest and say yes it is.

It is true that it is not NECESSARY to add a tip over the service charge which is already included. But if you are like me, and have had a lot of special service from a waiter trying to converse in English or listening to me trying to converse in French, and taking time to explain things to you -- things most waiters wouldn't have to do with locals -- then there is nothing wrong with adding a little to "reward him" for his good service which goes above and beyond.

The idea that adding anything only proves you're a tourist? Well, duh. Is there any way the waiter didn't know that already? If BECAUSE you're a tourist he spent extra time with you and went out of his way to help you (as many will) then don't feel "threatened" by those who try to say you're doing something wrong. On the other hand, it's true that if there was no special service, then a tip is pretty pointless.

kerouac

And some waiters will indeed give tourists short shrift. (This is not a good thing.)

NeoPatrick

Well sure, some waiters will give tourists short shrift -- especially if the tourist acts like an A-------, like the guy who told me he had to "inform the waiter in Paris that red wine shouldn't be so "chilled". But I've been amazed how often waiters in Paris are very friendly to tourists -- at least to me -- but maybe that's because I smile, I'm friendly, and I'm polite to them. And maybe because many waiters are smart enough to know that if they give special service to Americans they are likely to get a tip. Let's be honest -- no waiter resents getting extra money.