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Is it rude to tip in Paris?

Tipping is not considered etiquette by French people in French restaurants, but if you enjoyed your meal, it's nice to leave 5 - 10%. If you really enjoyed the meal, or plan on returning to the restaurant and want the wait staff to like you, 15% is a generous tip.



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In Paris, the bill in bars and restaurants includes a service charge, so you do not have to leave a tip. However, if you have been satisfied with your meal and the service you are welcome to do so. A tip in general amounts to 5 to 10% of the bill.

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Tipping is not required in France (although there are a few exceptions). You don't need to tip French waitstaff because they get a living wage and benefits. It is NOT considered rude to tip in France. There is no standard percentage for tips in France.

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Tipping at hotels in France is not mandatory, but it can be a nice gesture if someone goes out of their way to help make your stay extra special. If a bellhop brings your bags to your room, a tip of 2-3 euros per bag is the norm—and a bit more if they are very pleasant and helpful.

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Room service: If the hotel hasn't already added a gratuity, tip this person the same way you would a server or bartender in the restaurant downstairs: 15% to 20%. Door staff: No need to tip for someone opening the door.

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Yes, tap water in Paris is perfectly safe to drink and is readily available wherever you go, even at public water fountains. As long as taps aren't labeled eau non potable—meaning “not for drinking” in French—everything else is potable. In fact, drinking water from the fountains of Paris has been encouraged.

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Just as in Japan, it is not customary to tip in China. Tipping in China is generally uncommon and can even be considered rude or embarrassing in some circumstances so when taking a taxi, enjoying a refreshing drink or tucking into a delicious meal there's no requirement to leave any gratuities.

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At bars in Europe, tips are not customary, but leaving change or a few euros is always appreciated, if not expected. For takeaway food or drinks, counter dining, or stand-up service, tips are also not customary.

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The French have a reputation of being late often; whether it's true or false, being late is always considered rude. In France, we refrain from calling after 22:00 hours on the phone (10 pm), except when calling close friends. Spitting in the street is strictly prohibited. Belching in public is very rude.

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5 Rules You Should Be Following in Paris to Eat like a Local
  • Eat at the right hours. Before even thinking about dining in Paris, you'll want to make sure that you're going at the “correct” time. ...
  • Look for table settings. ...
  • Get the menu fixe. ...
  • Understand the order of operations. ...
  • Take your time!


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Here we've outlined eight countries where not tipping is the norm.
  • Spain.
  • Japan.
  • China.
  • Denmark.
  • Brazil.
  • Belgium.
  • Australia.
  • New Zealand.


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Tipping is not considered etiquette by French people in French restaurants, but if you enjoyed your meal, it's nice to leave 5 - 10%. If you really enjoyed the meal, or plan on returning to the restaurant and want the wait staff to like you, 15% is a generous tip.

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As long as you have a card with chip and pin technology, using it as you would at home is the simplest and often the most economical way of paying for things in France. Contactless card payment is possible in most locations, though subject to a transaction limit of 50 €.

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Spring (especially April and May) and autumn (particularly September and October) are ideal for visiting Paris, as crowds will be thinner, but the weather will be nice.

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