More for your money: Some tips on tipping in Europe
http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-money-20140831-story.html
by Rick Steves
Tipping for service overseas is a much more laid back affair than in the U.S. Here's a few suggestions.
U.S.-style tipping for service overseas is often unnecessary if not culturally ignorant. Here's how it's done.
Restaurant tips are more modest in Europe than in America. In most places, 10% is a big tip. Please believe me — tipping 15% or 20% in Europe is unnecessary, if not culturally ignorant.
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. The stakes are low, and it's no big deal if you choose the "wrong" amount. And note that tipping is an issue only at restaurants that have waiters and waitresses. If you order your food at a counter, 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 many countries, 5% to 10% is sufficient.
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.
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.
Of course, each country has its own quirks when it comes to tipping. 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 euros, hand him 50 while saying, "45." You'll get 5 euros back and feel pretty European.
In Prague and most places in the Czech Republic, your bill will state — in English — whether service is included. In most cases it's not, so round up the bill by adding 5%-10% and paying in cash. Speaking just a few Czech words will get you better service (if you greet your waiter in English, he'll want a 15% tip).
In London, many restaurants list a 12.5% "optional" tip on the bill, but you should tip only what you feel the service warrants.
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.
Americans frequently worry about tipping cabbies. It's simple: For a typical cab ride, round up to the next euro on the fare (to pay a 13 euro fare, give 14 euros); for a long ride, to the nearest 10 (for a 76 euro fare, give 80 euros). If you feel like you're being driven in circles or otherwise ripped off, skip the tip.
Tipping for special service is optional. Guides who give talks at public sights or on bus 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). 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.
Steves writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio.
http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-money-20140831-story.html
by Rick Steves
Tipping for service overseas is a much more laid back affair than in the U.S. Here's a few suggestions.
U.S.-style tipping for service overseas is often unnecessary if not culturally ignorant. Here's how it's done.
Restaurant tips are more modest in Europe than in America. In most places, 10% is a big tip. Please believe me — tipping 15% or 20% in Europe is unnecessary, if not culturally ignorant.
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. The stakes are low, and it's no big deal if you choose the "wrong" amount. And note that tipping is an issue only at restaurants that have waiters and waitresses. If you order your food at a counter, 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 many countries, 5% to 10% is sufficient.
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.
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.
Of course, each country has its own quirks when it comes to tipping. 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 euros, hand him 50 while saying, "45." You'll get 5 euros back and feel pretty European.
In Prague and most places in the Czech Republic, your bill will state — in English — whether service is included. In most cases it's not, so round up the bill by adding 5%-10% and paying in cash. Speaking just a few Czech words will get you better service (if you greet your waiter in English, he'll want a 15% tip).
In London, many restaurants list a 12.5% "optional" tip on the bill, but you should tip only what you feel the service warrants.
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.
Americans frequently worry about tipping cabbies. It's simple: For a typical cab ride, round up to the next euro on the fare (to pay a 13 euro fare, give 14 euros); for a long ride, to the nearest 10 (for a 76 euro fare, give 80 euros). If you feel like you're being driven in circles or otherwise ripped off, skip the tip.
Tipping for special service is optional. Guides who give talks at public sights or on bus 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). 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.
Steves writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio.
选择“Disable on www.wenxuecity.com”
选择“don't run on pages on this domain”
