Tipping Taxi drivers and others in London and Paris
 

We are leaving for London for a week at the end of March and I want to make sure I know what to do. Do we tip taxi drivers in London and if so what is the appropriate amount/percentage? We will also be going to Paris for a day, what percentage do we tip drivers in Paris?

What about housekeeping in the hotel? Do you tip daily or at the end of trip?

Concierge? They have helped me over the internet with dining reservations.

Restaurants? in both London and Paris

Can you tip on your credit card in restaurants?

Do taxis take credit cards? I will need to exchange GBP for Euros for our one day trip to Paris for taxi cabs when we arrive at train station and don't want to get too much. I would guess that most anything we plan on seeing/doing would accept AMEX, is this pretty much accurate? SIghtseeing buses, museums, Eiffel Tower, food, shopping, subway etc. Are there places that would not take AMEX? or VISA?

We are leaving for London for a week at the end of March and I want to make sure I know what to do. Do we tip taxi drivers in London and if so what is the appropriate amount/percentage? We will also be going to Paris for a day, what percentage do we tip drivers in Paris? >>>

You don’t have to tip cabbies unless they go far above and beyond the call of duty.

What about housekeeping in the hotel? Do you tip daily or at the end of trip?>>>>

At the end.

Concierge? They have helped me over the internet with dining reservations.>>>>

Ditto.

Restaurants? in both London and Paris>>> About 15% is normal.

Can you tip on your credit card in restaurants?>>>>

Yes – it’s very common.

Do taxis take credit cards? I will need to exchange GBP for Euros for our one day trip to Paris for taxi cabs when we arrive at train station and don't want to get too much. I would guess that most anything we plan on seeing/doing would accept AMEX, is this pretty much accurate? SIghtseeing buses, museums, Eiffel Tower, food, shopping, subway etc. Are there places that would not take AMEX? or VISA?>>>>>

Amex is not as common over here as it is in the USA. If you have a Visa use that – it’s universally accepted.

Welcome to the big debate ad the massive culture difference between UK/France and USA.

Taxi, you might round up to the pound or just get it right

Housekeeping, well £1, 2 if you really must but either because they do something special for it or after a longish stay £5 to £10 will go down well

Concierge, £5 unless its a great theatre or difficult to get restuarant in which case £10 is more than fair
Restuarants, read the chit carefully. Still some legal dsputes about this but make it cash of 5% or round up.

Tip on credit card in UK, don't advise it

France, if anything reduce these numbers

Seee even we don't agree

Taxis: nothing is perfectly acceptable, but I usually round up a bit, maybe 5% at most.

Housekeeping: at the end. Agree with bilboburger.

Restaurants: I'm not up to what is expected in London, but in Paris it's not expected at all. Again, round up a couple of euros or so if you were happy with the meal and service. Don't put the tip on your credit card in either place.

No, do not expect to be able to use AMEX everywhere.

And assuming you are originating in the USA, don't exchange GBP for euros for your day in Paris. Every time you do a currency conversion, you lose money. Either get some euros ahead of time for that leg of the trip, or wait until you get to Paris and withdraw euros from an ATM.

France - taxis : round it up. It is €18 leave €20 but if it is #21 don't leave €25 .... :-)

Housekeeping : Usually nothing.

Concierge : at the end of the trip if he did something special for you.

Restaurants : service is always included. Same as taxis, round it up.

"Can you tip on your credit card in restaurants"? NO, the money would go to the house and not to the waiter.

VISA is widely accepted in France but not all taxi drivers will take credit cards.

I tip around 10 pct to a taxi in Paris, if the job was really good (didn't come close to killing me, pleasant enough, got me there on time, made sure I was at the right terminal at the airport, etc.). I don't use concierges. I don't tip in restaurants in Paris unless the service is really exceptional, and then I only tip maybe 5 pct. Of course, this varies by the cost of what I ordered, I would be more likely to leave a euro tip in a cafe to a waiter who provided really good service on a 10 euro bill than I would normally tip 10 pct on a more expensive meal.

I haven't been in London in a few years, but as I recall, service was not included on the bill in the places where I ate/drank. The bill said so, as I recall.

There is a big difference between tipping in restaurants in France and Britain.

In France the service is usually included in the price – so there’s no need to tip.

In Britain it almost never is (but check the bill carefully). If it’s not anywhere between 10-15% is fine, and yes you can do this on your credit card. However as has been said this means that the money goes in the till and some unscrupulous restaurateurs use this as a way of making up staff wages. If you leave cash on the table it goes in the staff’s pockets.

I'd disagree about UK practice. Note, though, that tipping just isn't the thing it is in the US, and it really doesn't matter that much if you just don't bother. That's why you're getting different answers

Taxis: In London 5-10% for black cabs. Outside London, or cities that use London-style taxis, tipping is much rarer

Housekeeping: bilboburger's right: tipping is the exception, not the norm

Restaurants. Menus MUST, legally, specify whether a service charge will be added, and increasingly it is - but there's no simple norm here. If it is, it'll appear specifically on the bill.

If it's not specified, I think bilbo's being a mean bugger. 10%

What then can happens is that the "service" line on the slip - or obviously more often, the "service?" question on the credit card acceptor screen - will encourage you to pay service again. I'd say this is a lot rarer on screens than it used to be on paper slips. BUT it's absolutely not normal to pay a second tip, and it IS normal to get quite narky with the restaurant for pulling a fast one.

I am a mean bugger; I live in Yorkshire "Scotsmen with the generosity taken out".

You know, I think in this modern age especially in the UK and somewhat in France, you also need to be yourself. I am American living in England. I have waited tables on both sides of the pond. No matter what, if you give someone a little something extra because they have given you a good service, then no matter what the custom you will put a smile on your face. So have an idea in your head what is the custom but be yourself within that and make someone's day if they have helped make yours! Have a great trip and try to see some areas in both places that are 'real' and not just tourist traps. Check online and you should be able to find out loads, even if it is just one local street in Paris that gives you a feel for true Paris. Have fun.

Hey, there is no need to be rude because neyboreno has the imagination to put him/herself in the place of the server. I agree, do what makes you feel good.

The difference between the US and other countries is, if you haven't had good service (in a European restaurant for instance), you don't have to tip, unlike experiences I've had in the US where you feel obliged to tip even if the server is totally disinterested and couldn't give a toss. In these circumstances I don't tip, no matter what country I'm in (including the States) even if I'm followed out of the restaurant by the server, as happened in the US of A once.

My impression is that in London, if service is added, it's usually 12.5%. So that gives you some idea for how much tip to leave if it's not included.

If, in the USA, it makes me feel good to keep my money in my pocket rather than pay the server 15-20% on top of the bill, do you think that is the right thing to do?

My policy is to tip broadly in line with local custom. To do that, you need to ascertain what the local custom is, which is what the OP here is about. It's not always easy: I asked a local in Budapest what was appropriate in restaurants, and she told me that it used to be that service was deemed to be included but, because of the behaviour of tourists, servers were becoming accustomed to tips of about 10%, and even expecting it of locals.

I always find myself confused by these discussions. Tipping is never an issue for me in the US because I know what is expected, and there is unanimity of opinions. Everyone tips between 15 and 20 percent in restaurants. Period. But in Europe, whenever the question arises, there are many more opinions, and people who live there seem to have different opinions of what to tip even where they live.

Learning to respect the culture of the place you are visiting is what most of us are doing here on this message board. But at least as far as this one aspect of culture goes, and I believe I have read as much about it as anybody here, I am frequently confused and leave a restaurant feeling as if I might have offended somebody unknowingly.

I agree with you, Nikki, but I think that the confusion arises just because it's a case of "blind leading the blind." Most of the participants here are foreigners (I mean, if they are participating on the Europe forum, they are not Europeans and they are probably Americans) and not locals, so there's a plurality of opinions.

No tipping required for French restaurants...if you want, you can leave the coins after paying the bill, or, if service was above and beyond, OK for a little. But by law, service is included in the bill.

Many of the answers on this thread are being given by Europeans, and this is almost always the case in these discussions. I also ask people I know and meet when traveling in France and in the UK and have received answers ranging from "I never leave a tip" to "I always leave fifteen percent".

Then perhaps some of the people you asked were not truly locals, Nikki.

Plus how would I know who the Europeans are on this thread (I have some idea). Sometimes people are not what who they seem. :)

Also the tipping customs can vary for European countries, and European nationals from one country are giving advice about another country.

The US has 50 states and the tipping customs don't really vary state to state.

I think you can explain the plurality of opinions when you look into it, Nikki.

Who once said something like this? "It's really very simple." :)

I had people who live in Scotland tell me they leave no tip, and some tell me they always tip. I know people who live in London who tell me they never tip, and some say they always tip. I know people from Paris who say the same things. And some in the French countryside. I am only talking about locals, and they do not reach a consensus, even within countries and regions.

As for whether the people on this thread are Europeans, I can only say I have met one of them but have no reason to doubt that the others are who they say they are and plenty of reasons to believe they are locals.

<<The difference between the US and other countries is, if you haven't had good service (in a European restaurant for instance), you don't have to tip, unlike experiences I've had in the US where you feel obliged to tip even if the server is totally disinterested and couldn't give a toss.>>

That is just wrong. First off, you don't have to tip ANYWHERE in the world. It's a TIP, which means something extra for pleasing the customer. Second, tipping customs are different in Europe from those in the USA, and in many European countries, not tipping hasn't a single thing to do with whether you were happy or unhappy with the service.

Well Nikki, I'd have to trust you on your word, and that could be too much for me. Just kidding!

I don't know. I do think that in France, you'd typically not tip as it's "service compris." If I pay cash, I usually round up. If I pay by credit card in France, usually there isn't even a line for "tip," so I don't normally bother. If I eat at an especially fancy restaurant, I leave a smallish bill, say 5-10 euros for say a tip of around 5%-10%, depending on how I am feeling that day.

With the UK (and I guess I should say, specifically for London), I think the trend is towards tipping. Perhaps it's always been there, but only lately have I started to notice more frequent surcharges of 12.5% on the bill. I use that as a guide regarding tipping.

And of course I am not a local! :)

And as far as I can see, this also agrees with most of the advice on this thread. And so far, no one has never yelled after me, "Never set foot in here again, a--hole," so I guess it's a-ok! :)

StCirq, I disagree with you about the US. Why not try leaving out the tip or tipping 5% or something in your favorite restaurant and see how long that can last?

I've actually seen some NYC restaurants go to the extent of posting a note with the check of a "friendly reminder" to foreigners or whatever that it's customary to tip x%.

I suppose it's customary, so it's not "necessary" or "obligatory," but then that's a really fine line.

Let'd face it...from a common sense approach, why should I be paying extra so that a waiter makes a decent salary? Why are you , as a business making me pay separately the costs of you doing business?

Build it into the costs of a meal. Why should I feel guilted into adding extra to pay for something that should be included?
I expect that I won't have to go into the kitchen to deliver my order, then go back to pick it up. Charge me for it. And I do expect good service, I am the customer. I should not be surprised, and feel I need to pay extra because the waiter took good care of me.

What you say is true, Michel_Paris, but then a lot of things are true. I mean, just because something makes sense doesn't mean that that that's the way things are done in practice.

Anyway, my personal view is that there's more flexibility about the UK -- or London, I should say. I say this because I'm pretty sure that I've encountered cases when 12.5% was added with the note that I could request it be taken off if I didn't actually want it added. So this certainly suggests some degree of optionality.

Also I seem to remember a really annoying experience that a tip was added but they didn't tell me. I only realized that they added something after I did a quick mental check. Since I had left a tip already, I had to ask them to correct the bill.

My other point (also in observation of what Nikki wrote) is that trends can change. For example, in the US, 15% used to be adequate. But as we now know, the percentage of what's "customary" has crept up over the years. In NYC I think you'd be expected to tip more than 15%.

So depending on whom you ask, you could indeed get a different answer, as these things can change and settle into a "new normal."

One other thing I meant to add but forgot to add: I don't think this happens much in France or UK, but there could be different expectations regarding tourists and locals.

An example: Certainly in Beijing, a few years ago, they wanted more money for the audio guide in English at the Forbidden City compared to the one in Chinese. I am not sure if this is still the case.

Once again, all this brings me back to my earlier point that I think it just comes down to adding what you know about a place to what you feel comfortable with and making your best effort to fit the two together. People will know you are a visitor (usually) and take it into account as long as you are not insulting by being too far off in your best guess.

England, as for most of Europe, has just gradually becoming Americanised in some of these customs due to increased travel, media and entertainment. Not saying a bad thing or a good thing, just something I've seen over the past 30 years. Thus, the inconsistencies are showing in the way different people view what is the 'norm' in their own countries.

As for the earlier comment by Flanneruk, I AM home and home is here in England and has been for 27 years, my children were born here, my husband was born here. The only thing really American about me is where I was born. Please don't be insulting and thank you to tarquin for sticking up for me!

I always leave something for the maids -- I think it's easy to forget them, because usually we don't see them -- why give a tip to a guy who opens the door for you or just makes a call to a restaurant, and then not tip the person who makes your bed, cleans your toilet, and cleans up your messes and probably gets paid a lot less? The concierge probably gets perks from the restaurants, etc. that he recommends, but the poor maid is often stiffed by the hotel guest because she's invisible. Usually, different maids clean on weekdays than on weekends, so it's probably a good idea to split up tips by day.

<i>What about housekeeping in the hotel? Do you tip daily or at the end of trip?"</i>

I absolutely agree that the chambermaids should be tipped daily -- how would you like to clean someone's room for five days and have someone else pocket your tip on day six?

And don't say "they probably share all tips" -- if, as pointed out above, tipping is the exception not the norm, there's likely no systematic pooling.

Forgive me if others have said this, but when in the UK and EU I follow their customs and leave just a few coins if the tip is already included in the bill. Exception: If we have a really great experience with a terrific, friendly server and we wish to return we make sure to leave a more generous tip than is expected, just as we would in the States. Like most travelers, we have our favorite places and a nice tip, patience and a willingness to go with the flow has earned us wonderful warmth on return visits.

"You know, I think in this modern age...you need to bloody well learn to respect the culture of where you're staying.

Otherwise, piss off home."

Perhaps Mr. UK could read that little homily to his compatriot "stag and hen" partiers in Eastern Europe or the English expats in Italy, Spain and France who never learn more than a few words of the local language.

""stag and hen" partiers in Eastern Europe"

Your talking about a different species (alien) there!

The situation varies a lot in the UK depending on where you are eating, which might account for some of the different answers you've had Nikki.

Restaurant - usual tip is 10% unless you had bad service (reduce or don't tip) or outstanding service (a bit more) or there is a service charge included (don't tip at all).

In cafes we don't usually tip.

In pubs we don't tip.

Breakfast - don't tip.

Be aware that if you tip on your credit card the money goes to the owner of the restaurant not the employee. If you want to tip the waiting staff and for them to get the money do it in cash.

British law does not allow employers to use tips to top up staff salaries - they have to be paid min wage regardless of whether they receive tips.

Tip in restaurants if you like, don't tip in pubs but you can (if you want) offer to buy a drink for the person behind the bar - they will normally take £1 or £2.

111op

Some Europeans go on this board because we do have the answers.

Oh and there are people in Britain who always tip and there are people who never tip. It is more common to tip in London then elsewhere in the UK (in my experience).

There's no generally accepted rule about tipping in France. It varies a lot individually (depending on their own opinion, habbits they picked up from their parents or friends, etc...).
Some people will just leave some change, some will almost never tip, some will almost always do, some will leave the same amount regardless of the cost of the meal or the number of guests, some will tip according to the price, etc...
It's the same with taxis. I've the habbit of tipping about 10% of the fare (except if I'm unhappy with the driver), but many people don't tip them.
Note that the "15% service included" on the bill doesn't mean that this amount goes to the waiters. It depends on their contract (fixed salary or fixed+"service fee"), and there's no way to know. As a very general rule, the service charge doesn't go to the waiter in small restaurants or bars (originally, the "service included" system was implemented to prevent restaurant/bar owners from displaying a price and then adding to it some random "service fee")

Not all taxis accept credit cards in France. Some also accept them only if the fare is above a given amount (for instance €15). Ask before the ride.

One comment about tipping in France (from someone who has lived there for the last 15 years) Service is indeed included by law, so you are already paying 15%. So there is no need to leave any more.

However, you will sometimes, especially in tourist areas see the equivalent of 'Service is included, tip is not' Or if you ask the waiter if the tip is included, he may give you some variation of this.

I don't think a French person would ever be taken in by this and neither should you be. Most people feel it's polite to leave a little extra to round up the bill, but not a 10 or 15% 'tip.'

"You know, I think in this modern age...you need to bloody well learn to respect the culture of where you're staying.

Otherwise, piss off home."

Yeah, well FlannerUK you and your countrymen who come here to the USA and don't tip or tip far too little because it's not how you do it back home need to take this advice.

Padraig says-"If, in the USA, it makes me feel good to keep my money in my pocket rather than pay the server 15-20% on top of the bill, do you think that is the right thing to do?"

The poster was talking about if it makes one feel good to do something nice or reward somebody ...what you would be doing is harming someone. Two totally different things genius.

"Service" is indeed included by law in France, but as clairobscur says, it is just to prevent them from adding a surprise onto the bill at the end. There is no rule or law about a service charge even existing at all and you will see all sorts of variations on menus (I believe that Léon de Bruxelles, for example, lists 12% or 13% while a lot of the Chinese restaurants mark "service gratuit" -- and you don't see service charges at McDonald's, do you?). There are laws about minimum wages for café and restaurant workers, and they have absolutely nothing to do with service charges -- the workers get their (decent) salaries, plus a few tips, and those can either be personal or shared. When I was a partner in a café, all of the tips went into a big coffee can and were counted and divided equally among all of the employees once a week -- this way, the people working back in the kitchen got a share of the tips as well, which they fully deserved.