Tipping culture in Europe is very different, so there are some habits American travelers will want to leave at home. For most, tips are not expected in Europe, and it's fine not to tip at all, especially in more casual settings like bars or cafes.In other cases, though, small tips may be warranted.
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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.
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 Spain, tipping is entirely optional and it's not very common. You may see people leaving small change at cafés and bars and, eventually, someone tipping at a nice expensive restaurant. But most of the time, you won't see anyone other than tourists leaving a tip.
A good rule of thumb here is to tip at least 10%. Also, feel free to raise that if you get stellar service. Again, these servers make very little per hour. Think of it like this: If everyone tipped just one extra dollar, it would make a big difference for the server.
Recommended tip: 10-15%Unlike most cities worldwide, tipping in London is not expected or essential. However, the general advice is to leave between 10–15 per cent of the bill, particularly when dining at a full-service restaurant.
Tipping servers in restaurants and cafés in Spain, while appreciated, isn't mandatory. It's tough for Americans to get used to not leaving a tip, but locals generally don't leave anything extra at all in more casual eateries. In fine-dining restaurants, a tip may already be included in the check.
Spanish Tap Water FAQsAll water in Spain is considered safe to drink. That said, if you're not used to it, it can taste a bit off in some areas (mainly coastal cities like Malaga and Barcelona). If that's where you're headed, go for bottled—the water won't make you ill, but the taste can be off-putting.
Legally it's voluntary but if you slink out of a restaurant without leaving a gratuity of between 15 and 25 per cent, you're likely to be chased by a waiter demanding to know why. To help you avoid tipping anxiety (and disgruntled waitstaff), we explain how to tip in the United States.
Iceland is an emphatically no-tipping country. A side effect of the tipless culture is that waiters in Icelandic restaurants are usually happy to split the bill for groups.
She explains that in Japan, tipping is similar to giving a child an allowance, or as it's referred to in Japan, an “okozukai.” So giving a working adult something akin to an allowance comes across as condescending.
Tipping in Spain RestaurantsFor a sit-down lunch or dinner that might come to around 20 euros, a one or two euro tip is more than enough, and is also considered standard. For high-end or Michelin star restaurants tipping is likely more expected, a 10% tip is standard.
Do you tip for Uber in Spain? For a ride within the city, most locals consider that a proper tipping is to leave 10 to 20 cents (I personally tend to round up to the next 50 cents or euro, for instance). And for a ride from the airport, one or two extra euros will make the deal.
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.
Unlike some countries you do not have to tip in the UK. However, there are some unsaid social rules about leaving a tip. For example, if you take a taxi it is normal practice to round up the fare to the nearest pound.
Similar to the rest of western Europe, Portugal does not have a strong “tipping culture,” and there are really no standards or rules regarding tipping. Throughout the country itself, the tipping practice may vary, depending on the region where you are traveling.