It seems like I read somewhere that the tip is already figured into your bill at restaurants in Italy. Is this true. Also are there other instances when one should tip that are different than in the states?

Most restaurants in Europe will include service in the bill . . and it will be so indicated on the menu . . usually. The norm is to leave a small amount as a "table tip" . . usually 1to 2 percent or whatever change is left over from paying the bill.

This sounds harsh for US residents accustomed to wait staff who depend on tips to make their living, but in most of Eurpoe, wait staff salary and benefits are much higher than in the US and tips are more of a thank you, than a wage.

Italy is one of those counties wher wait staff are professionals who earn a decent salary.

Enjoy . . Rich

Thank you for verifying that information. We will be in the air tomorrow night at this time!!!!

In Europe the philosophy is simple: employers are expected to pay waiters a fair wage for what they do, and customers are expected to pay proprietors a fair price for what they get.
The only time the lines get blurred, and a customer might think of adding to a waiter's wage, is if the waiter provides service over and above the standard that a proprietor or customer might reasonably expect for the going wage.
(This gets further blurred in countries like Germany where supreme excellence is the expected standard anyway!)

Tipping generates a lot of controversy here, sometimes descending to the level of "only American dolts tip" to "only cheapskates don't tip."

suggestions:
www.fodors.com (click on tipping guides) or check your guidebook


http://www.luxurytravel.com/cityguid...etiquette.html

www.worldexecutive.com/cityguides

The "tip" is like what everyone's advised so far: just a little change.

Don't ask the server if the "tip" is included in the charges as he will say "no" as it is not. That's where the confusion lies and many people may leave a 15% or more tip just like they do at home but it's not necessary. The service is included but that already includes the tip.

But there was a recent posting about a few restaurants (even a couple high-end ones) actually denying that service was included in the charges when it actually was.

Is this tipping policy true in England and Spain, as well? I am going to London and Bacelona and I don't want to tip 15% if it is not expected or already included int he check.

In the UK and Ireland, when I'm eating out, I ALWAYS tip about 10% of the bill, whether there's service charge or not. I used to be a waitress, and 'lived' off my tips (wages went to pay the rent, tips covered everything else!), so I suppose I'm a bit softer than others - although most people in my group of friends (mid 20s, varying types of jobs) would do the same.

When it comes to 'lounge service' in bars - usually its just 50c or so, or a Euro after a couple of rounds. Depends on the service.

-- Viola

Tasha8182 . .

Most places in London will include both VAT and Service in the Menue prices. You can check the menu . . usually at the bottom of the page. Can't speak to Spain ( no dinosaurs died there!)

violagirl . .

I am a generous tipper also . . for the same reason, but as I said, the wait staff compensation package is totally differetn in most of Europe than in the US.

Applying US practices in Europe would justify a European not tipping in the US . . which would clearly not be fair to the wait staff.

Rich

Ah, but Rich, I'm a European! I'm born and bred in Ireland, and I tip 10% in restaurants in Ireland. (Just realised I hadn't made that clear!). In Germany I was a 'native' in that I lived & worked there for a year, and followed the local customs.

-- Viola

I C . . Rich

Like everyone has said, it's included- I never tip at unless the service was unusually fantastic or above average- made it a better dining experience. If I do, it's a couple euros. I've also heard that leaving the extra change- smaller coins- is actually insulting and it would be better not to tip than to do that- is that true?

Kelly

>I've also heard that leaving the extra change- smaller coins- is actually insulting and it would be better not to tip than to do that- is that true?<

If the small change is less than a Euro, it would be a good idea to make up the difference.

PS,

Leaving a penny is definitely a statement that you weren't pleased.

All this discussion about 'less than / more than a euro' or insert currency here is disgusting.

In Australia, our $1 and $2 peices are coins. I can honestly say that if I tip, it's because the service is good, and I wouldn't leave coin on the table (that's what women have massive handbags with fat purses in it for, besides, coins in pockets ruin the hang of the trousers).

Leave a fiver on the table, or ten if you really liked it. At the end of the day, if you're jet setting on a budget, I doubt any of the places you go would be places that people would really get tips at.

If you can't afford to drop five bucks here and there, maybe interstate travel should have been the prefered option.

For the record, I live in Australia but was raised travelling through Europe until I was six (England, Germany, Italy, France) due to my fathers employment.

I am government employed and work in the security/defense industry, so I'm not an underpaid waiter pleading poverty, nor am I a uber-rich lawyer chastising people for being tight arses.

Tipping in London restaurants is fairly straightforward. Many restaurants will include a service charge, usually 12.5%, in this case there is no need to tip (unless service has been exceptional)- it will always say whether a service charge has been included on the bill (check). If service has been poor you can ask for this charge to be removed from the bill. If a service charge isn't included a tip of between 10 and 15% is expected - but if the service was very poor and unacceptable don't tip. Like most restaurant personnel elsewhere, London wait staff wages are low, based on the assumption that they will earn tips.