Tipping in France and Italy?

Question

I'm off for a few days in France and Italy and wondered what the tipping rules are. I'm a generous tipper usually and want to make sure I get it right!

Answer 1

I'm French and I never give tips.

Answer 2

10% standard, 15% for good service. 20% if you're rich and just feel like it

Answer 3

You do not need to tip at all in France, tipping a certain percentage is purely an American tradition.  Europeans get paid a decent wage so do not rely on tips to survive. A tip will be added to the bill, but that is generally for service not the waiter.

If you really want to tip just leave your change on the cafe table when leaving.  There is no need to tip hotel porters etc.

Answer 4

At every place I ate in France and Italy the service was included as a separate line on the bill.  

As a matter of habit, I always round up to the next euro.  If the service is really good or the waiter is very personable, I leave a couple extra euros.

Answer 5

In Italy we don't usually tip, but surely a waiter wouldn't complain if you do.

Answer 6

Tipping is not mandatory in either France or Italy....

However, when I go to a restaurant, I do tip ....I do not go by a percentage.... I usually give the tip directly to the waiter or waitress. You can tip as you feel is appropriate.

There is a cover charge at most restaurants... Always check the price of the coverage.. It is located at the top or bottom of the menu ....At outdoor  cafes or restaurants they must post the menu and the cover charge will be there

Look at coperto...in Italy  In France,  if service is included  you will see the words

service compris ( SC) , service et taxe compris ( STC) or prix nets/toutes taxes comprises ( TTC), which means that prices are inclusive of service and value added tax ( TVA). If service is extra, service non compris ( SNC) or service en sus may be indicated.

In the big cities they do add a tip percentage of 15%

You read other tipping tips for Europe..

http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/graff...

http://www.justlanded.com/english/France...

http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/conte...

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g18707...

http://www.goabroad.info/Italy.html?gID=...

I hope this helps

Answer 7

When i buy a drink in a café, i give 2 euros the most of time. thats the price of the drink. i'm french

Answer 8

Tipping in France is not mandatory as you are already paying a 15% service charge on your bill, which is why you will see people leaving without tipping (and why French tourists have that reputation of being bad tippers, they don't see it as a necessity). If the service is bad you have the right not to give anything. Usually it it between 5 to 10%, depending if you ordered a drink at a cafe or you are at a restaurant.

No idea for Italy.

Answer 9

Stick with 10% and you and the receiver will stay happy. Watch out though as some menus are priced COMPLIT or something like that and this includes a tip.

Answer 10

normally between 10 to 15% as a rule of thumb

Answer 11

As the service is included in france and italy, you ll be expected to leave a tip if you enjoyed your meal....not  10 or 15%, but maybe juste afive note...

Answer 12

in france service charge is included in the menu with every item. However you can leave 10% of the bill if the service was good.

In Italy it is customary to leave tips.