We will be in small towns (not in Paris). Plan on dinning in fine restaurants. Can anyone inform me on tipping ediquette for high end restaurants?

I have asked so many questions and I appreciate everyone help!!

Johnb

Which “high-end” restaurants? We seldom tip more then 2 or 3 euros, if anything, at the best restaurants, but depending on which "high-end" restaurant you’re talking about, you may want to consider up to 5 euros. Remember, the "tip" is always included in your bill in both France and Spain and an extra gratuity is never expected, even for the most elaborate and expensive meal.

You don't need to leave a tip in France, even in high-end restaurants. Service is included. I may round up to next 5 or 0 for exceptional service, usually means 2-3 euros additonal.

Hi

the custom is not to tip, or just to round up the small change.

Please don't overtip - I live here and people get to expect it !

Peter
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com

agree with them all.
Just want ot add that if the meal was good but the waiter was unfriendly I don't tip, if the meal was not that good but the waiter was nice, I tip (and I also tell him/her what I thought about the meal).
Their wages are based on the minimum legal (SMIC). Make sure you have coins, don't add it on the credit card.

it is a question of feeling that's all!
corinne

Hi john,

A 15% service charge is included in the price.

It is usual to round up for good service, eg, if the bill is 163E leave 165.

It is better to leave change on the table than to add a tip to your CC. In Europe, the CC payment goes to the owner, not the help.

Have a nice visit.

In high-end restaurants with really good service, most people I ask tell me that they leave a tip of from 5 to 10 Euros. Rounding up/leaving the small change applies primarily to cafés and "ordinary" restaurants.

How do you add a tip onto a credit card?

Stu Dudley

One can add a tip on a credit card in two ways. One is that there is a line on the slip that you sign inviting a gratuity. This is almost universal in Canada and the USA but less common in Europe. If there is no gratuity line you can tell the waiter to add a certain amount to the total.

>>One is that there is a line on the slip that you sign inviting a gratuity.<<

I've probably had over 300 restaurant meals in France, and I've never seen a line on a slip that you sign (I'm guessing that you are referring to the CC slip). By the time you sign the CC slip, the CC transaction has already been processed.

Your second option would work, but I doubt if the waiter would ever see the tip - see Ira's comment.

Stu Dudley

for ex your meal was 100€ you wish to leave say 10€ on the CC. the owner puts 110€ payment CB in the cashier. the machine will show 10€ refund in cash that the owner should give to his staff.
Bosses don't like that system because they pay a percentage on the amount shown on the credit card (and if they want to keep the tip, nobody will know) that is why I said earlier >Make sure you have coins, don't add it on the credit card.<
Hope I made myself clear #-o

coco former receptionist.

Every time i restaurant with my French in-laws i always ask if i should leave some small change and the answer is ubiquitously no! that said i think many French do but it's not expected but can't hurt to round up a few sous.

PalenqueBob your French in-laws are stingy!$) ;-)

Hmmm. I knew we were duped!

We were at a small bistro just off of St. Honore and when the bill came, I politely asked -- in French-- if the service was included, as it was not stated on the menu or ticket. She said it was not included. So, we left a full tip. After returning to our hotel, I asked our concierge and we were informed that yes, in fact, it was included. So, watch out!!

Hi

just worth saying that there are increasingly no CC slips for EU residents.

The cordless machine just gives a total - you insert your card - then put in a pin number when the screen asks for it.

France and Belgium have had chips on cards for around 20 years. Now other EU countries have them, and they are slowly becoming harmonised. I can now use a pin number with my French card in about 50% of merchants in UK and vice versa. If it won't take the pin number it automatically prints out a slip to be signed - but still no space for a tip.

Peter
www.the-languedoc-page.com