Just wondering how much to tip in a restaurant in Amsterdam. Also, what about tipping maid in hotel? Is this done?

Worldwide, unless service is included, I will always leave around 10% of the total cost of the meal.

As for tipping maids, if they service the room twice daily then I consider giving them a tip, however, if they are not available when I check out I rarely leave my tip with other staff as I doubt it would ever reach the maid.

What difference does it make whether it is "done" or not? If you feel the service deserves a tip, then leave one since this is purely a personal matter/feeling. M-Kingdom has obviously concluded that if you don't service his/her room AT LEAST twice daily then you aren't worth a tip. I doubt you want to take any sort of advice from someone like that...I know I certainly wouldn't.

I always stay at properties that offer twice daily service, once in the morning, once in the evening.

Sometimes, however, the maids can be lazy and do not clean the bathroom, and/or do not replace the used towels. However, when they give the room a full clean I do try to make some effort to tip them.

From Fodor's own online guide:

Tipping

"The following guidelines apply in Amsterdam, but the Dutch tip smaller amounts in smaller cities and towns. In restaurants a service charge of about 5% is included in menu prices. Tip 10% extra if you've really enjoyed the meal and you've got good service, and leave the tip as change rather than putting it on your credit card. If you're not satisfied, don't leave anything. A service charge is also included in hotel, taxi, bar, and café bills, but the Dutch mostly round up the change to the nearest two euros for large bills and to the nearest euro for smaller ones. In taxis, round up the fare to 10% extra. Rest room attendants only expect change, or a half a euro, and a cloakroom attendant in an average bar expects half a euro per coat (more in expensive hotels and restaurants)."

I usually leave a couple Euro/day for the room housekeeping.

So perhaps my advice wasn't so bad after all?

Wasn't critiquing, just joining in...

I always tip housekeeping staff. Clearly I don't stay in the kind of places m_kingdom2 does with twice a day service, nor do I use tipping as a means to express pleasure or critique performance. A euro or two in coin left on an unmade bed is always appropriate.

In a good establishment, where the staff have been properly instructed and trained, they would leave any loose change found on a desk, unless of course there is an accompanying note.

If staff take money from a clients room it could be observed as theft, if I intend tipping, it is always much nicer to present it to them personally.

Depending on when one checks out of a room who knows that one will see the housekeeping staff, though in most hotels they're still on the floors till at least 12N. In most European hotels, check out is between 10am-12N; with check-in between 12N-2pm. Just take an envelope from the stationery normally provided, put in a few Euro or whatever the currency and write Maid or Housekeeping. I'm sure whichever language, the words will ring a bell (money, money).

With the exception of a "no-star" hotel from way back in my 20s, have I ever stayed in hotel that didn't provide twice daily service (and this hasn't been in all expensive hotels).

Most European restaurants include a service charge which should be clearly marked on the menu and the amount of the service charge. If you wish to leave an additional amount, feel free to do so, if not, don't. If the service charge isn't included, then leave 10-15%, not unlike you would at home.

"Worldwide, unless service is included, I will always leave around 10% of the total cost of the meal."

MK - I don't know if you travel to the States or not. But service is never included, and a 10% tip verges on being an an insult to the server. In larger cities and/or fine-dining establishments, about 18% is the norm for acceptable service. 20% or so if it is very good.

You may have meant "throughout Europe," in which case, disregard the above.

Yes, I do mean Europe.

I find a 20% tip in the US ridiculous, I'd rather they just charge more for the food - Hotel staff there expecting a tip for breakfast, and actually having the audacity to ask for one does not induce me to tip them.

I will always leave a good tip in Europe with lunch or dinner if the service is good. 15% would be the most I'd consider.

I agree with you that I'd rather they charge more for the food in the US. But that isn't the way it works, and it isn't likely to change anytime soon.

Waiters in the US are usually paid minimum wage, and taxes are deducted from that, based on the 15% tip that it is assumed they earn on their sales (including wine and liquor.) They must also share their tips with their co-workers - usually the host/hostess, bartender, and bus staff. So your waiter is at most keeping about half of the tip you leave for him.

I don't quite understand mKingdom's logic. Since restaurants in the US do not include service, saying that he is unwilling to tip for service and would rather see the price of the food increase is rather disengenuous. What was that about not tipping for breakfast? Does the server work less in the morning? How absurd.

I lived in Amsterdam may years ago. I do believe servers are better paid there and the customary tip is somewhat smaller than it might be in the US. As I recall, the advice given previously where you round things up to one or two euros and up to 10% or so in restaurants seems valid. If I have competent service, I tip accordingly. I also think fabulous service deserves a fabulous tip if you can afford it.

m_k2 - think you should brown bag it, and clean up your own room!