Rick Steves 写的欧洲小费指南

我刚从德国和波兰北部回来。前一个月论坛很多人讨论在欧洲怎么给小费，甚至是给不给小费的问题。我今天看见Rick Steves写的tips on tipping in Europe，转过来作个参考。

另外想说的是，可能有些人说“欧洲餐馆的账单已经包括了小费，所以不用再给小费”是个理解上的错误。在欧洲，有少数的餐馆是把服务费写进帐单的，但是为数极少，而且大多是高端的餐馆。我最近7年去了10次德国，7次意大利，所有49国我都去过，你说我吃过多少欧洲餐馆？我见过的账单上包括小费的餐馆，这些年加在一起不到10家，我记得大多数在南欧。德国法国和整个东欧，我记忆中没有这样的。引起误解的原因，有可能是欧洲餐馆账单上所列的增值税。在几乎所有西欧和南欧国家，买东西的账单上，会列出增值税的税率和钱数，但是这个税是包括在售价里的，不象美国是在售价以外的，而且它不是小费。比如我买一杯啤酒，3.5欧元，账单上会列出“啤酒3.1欧元，增值税率**%，增值税0.4欧元，总价3.5欧元”。如果不懂当地语言，可能有的游客会把那个税率当成是小费。我猜测，仅仅是猜测，也许这就是网上有人谣传“账单都包括小费”的误解来源吧。

这个指南很好，但也不是金科玉律。各人自己掌握。比如我自己一般不在旅馆房间留小费，只在帮助我拿行李的时候给小费。Rick Steves也提到，在欧洲的餐馆，如果象美国那样tipping 15-20%，那就近乎于cutural ignorant了。

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Tipping in Europe

By Rick Steves

Tipping in Europe isn’t as automatic and generous as it is in the United States, but in many countries, tips are appreciated, though not expected. As in the US, the proper amount depends on your resources, tipping philosophy, and the circumstances. That said, there are big tippers and there are misers the world over. Tipping varies by country, but some general guidelines apply.

Restaurants

Restaurant tips are more modest in Europe than in America. At restaurants, check the menu to see if service is included; if it isn’t, a tip of 5–10 percent is normal. In most places, 10 percent is a big tip. If your bucks talk at home, muzzle them on your travels. As a matter of principle, if not economy, the local price should prevail. Please believe me — tipping 15 or 20 percent in Europe is unnecessary, if not culturally ignorant.

Tipping is an issue only at restaurants that have waiters and waitresses. If you order your food at a counter (in a pub, for example), don’t tip.

At table-service restaurants, the tipping etiquette and procedure vary slightly from country to country. But in general, European servers are well paid, and tips are considered a small “bonus” — to reward great service or for simplicity in rounding the total bill to a convenient number.

In Mediterranean countries, the “service charge” (servizio in Italian, service in French, servicio in Spanish) can be handled in different ways. Sometimes the menu will note that the service is included (“servizio incluso”), meaning that the prices listed on the menu already have this charge built in. When the service is not included (“servizio non incluso”), the service charge might show up as a separate line item at the end of your bill. Fixed-price tourist deals (a.k.a. menu) include service.

In northern and eastern Europe, the menu or bill is less likely to address the “service charge,” but you can usually assume that it’s included in the prices.

Virtually anywhere in Europe, you can do as the Europeans do and (if you’re pleased with the service) add a euro or two for each person in your party. In very touristy areas, some servers have noticed the American obsession with overtipping — and might hope for a Yankee-size tip. But the good news is that European servers and diners are far more laid-back about all this than we are. Any tip is appreciated, the stakes are low, and it’s no big deal if you choose the “wrong” amount.

Typically, it’s better to hand the tip to the waiter when you’re paying your bill than to leave it on the table, particularly in busy places where the wrong party might pocket the change. Servers prefer to be tipped in cash even if you pay with your credit card (otherwise the tip may never reach your server); in many cases, there isn’t even a line on the credit-card receipt for a tip.

In Germanic countries, it’s considered discreet and classy to say the total number of euros you’d like the waiter to keep (including his tip) when paying. So, if the bill is €41, hand him €50 while saying, “45.” You’ll get €5 back and feel pretty European.

Taxis

For taxis, round up to the next euro on the fare (to pay a €13 fare, give €14); for a long ride, to the nearest 10 (for a €76 fare, give €80). If the cabbie hauls your bags and zips you to the airport to help you catch your flight, you might want to toss in a little more. But if you feel like you’re being driven in circles or otherwise ripped off, skip the tip.

Hotels

At hotels with porters, pay the porter a euro for each bag he carries; it’s nice (but not required) to leave a small tip in your room for the housekeeping staff when you depart.

Other Services

Tipping for special service is optional. Guides who give talks at public sights or on bus or boat tours often hold out their hands for tips after they give their spiel. If I’ve already paid for the tour or admission to the sight, I don’t tip extra (but if you want to tip, a euro or two is enough for a job well done). In general, if someone in the service industry does a super job for you, a tip of a couple of euros is appropriate...but not required.

When in doubt, ask. The French and British generally tip hairdressers, the Dutch and Swedish usually don’t. If you’re not sure whether (or how much) to tip for a service, ask your hotelier or the tourist information office; they’ll fill you in on how it’s done on their turf.