I love the way some people say it's fine to tip "because I've seen other people tip." I suppose we can also throw our rubbish in the street then, because I see other people doing that all the time.

In restaurants we roundup rather than tip but taxi seems more like a small tip IF driver is helpful such as helping with luggage for 4 people. The last trip to Paris we made mistake of taking gypsy cab....ride from hell.... Almost ran out of gas and sped through parts of city that seemed out of the way in a beat up car. Price was flat 60euros and thats all we gave him Learn through mistakes i guess.

"I love the way some people say it's fine to tip "because I've seen other people tip." I suppose we can also throw our rubbish in the street then, because I see other people doing that all the time."

Very unfair comparison but of course expected from someone who thinks tipping is inherently BAD.

My comment. was in response to those who say French people never tip. It just isn't true nor is the admonition that if you tip "People will know you are an American."

As for people throwing rubbish on the street, when I could move faster
I would pick it up, tap the person on the shoulder and say, "Excuse me, I think you dropped this." I drew the line at dog droppings, which would have been a full-time job in the Paris of yore, but would have been a great thing to do for the shock factor.

Well Cathy, you must live in another world than the one I live in.
I'm Belgian and spend nearly more time in french restaurants than eating at home.
And I never see my friends tip nor do I - ok, I round up twice a year.
French don't tip. Nor do Belgians. Which means of course that some do. Like some people give money to beggars and some throw their rubbish.
Kerouac is explaining how it goes. And no it isn't inherently bad to tip, it is bad to tip in France.

But please do. And allow me then to NOT tip in US. Why should I ? Because others do ? I don't care - I don't tip at home so why should I tip elsewhere ?
This has been discussed ad nauseam.

Yes Whathello time to put an end to this discussion I think i have my answer. Do what i want to do.

It's about tipping a taxi driver who to my knowledge does not have a service charge built into the fare. Please correct me if I'm wrong and I will reconsider my position.

The "other world" I lived in was a small village near St. Gaudens, 6 1/2 years from 2009 to 2015 plus countless business and pleasure trips to Paris, Nice, Cannes, and virtually every region on vacations for more than 45 years.

Maybe people in my very rural and poor part of France were just more generous.

De fait - en plein bled.

Cornelius, tipping is something that drives me crazy.
I consider I don't have to get 'lessons' on the subject, being a native, having (nearly) always lived in France or Belgium. And I can't stand sentences like 'some people are being more generous' (when tipping).
Because it is plain wrong. I'd consider somebody being generous when giving money to a caritative association taking care of Syrian refugees for example. But somebody giving money on top of what is needed ? Where is the generosity ? Do we tip Fodors ? Yet they offer a service, don't they ?

That is why I am overshooting and boring everybody to death on such threads. You want to tip, you tip. Just don't tell me I'm wrong to tell you it is not necessary and don't tell me I'm stingy. Which you didn't...

I heard 'Don Quixotte' somewhere at the back...

Sur ce, bonne nuit.

There is not a "service charge" built into the taxi driver's metered fare, because the City and the Taxi union collaborate to calculate fair rates for the service he provides.

The service charge that is added to a restaurant bill is completely different and is not a "tip". It consists of various taxes that are added to the cost of the food and drink.

If you want to share your money, that's fine. But it's important to understand the distinction between taxes and service.

Both restaurant workers and taxi drivers are paid a living wage and enjoy many other benefits.

This is like beating a dead horse. I get your point. In the US we feel guilty if we don.t tip so each country has its customs also in US waiters and waitresses do not earn a living wage.

cornelius - I was explaining things to Cathinjoetown. It's obvious that you've already got the message : )

We don't feel guilty.
We pay taxes.
When my boss gives me 1500 € I get :

of the 1500 paid by my boss :
500 goes to taxes paid directly by him (charges patronales)
500 goes to taxes paid by him on my behalf (impôt sur le revenu)
85 goes to taxes via Added value tax (21% in France on goods) lost on everything I buy with my 500 Euros
30 goes to taxes as local taxes (centimes additionels)
30 goes to real estate tax (at least... impôt foncier - cadastre in Belgium)
x goes to taxes on gas for my car (accises)
y goes to taxes on wine (accies)

So I have in my pocket 350 € out of 1500 my boss paid.
These 1150 out of 1500 finance roadwork, healthcare, retirement funds, unemplyment funds, police, etc.
Why should I then on top of this tip ??????
Don't I finance enough ?

Well today is the big day.....leaving for Paris tonight so will see what the taxi experience will bring and whether to tip or not to tip!
Au revoir mes amis et merci