| Sitting at a cafe terrace in Paris, and | | | | |
| watching people passing by while sipping on | | | | How do you tip elsewhere? |
| your Perrier water is not something you want | | | | |
| to miss. But here comes the check, and with | | | | In many cases, tips are a valuable income |
| it the question: should I tip, and how much? | | | | supplement for their recipients. |
| | | | |
| By Phil Chavanne | | | | Take taxi drivers for instance: the average |
| | | | salary of a taxi driver employed by a cab |
| The check is all inclusive | | | | company is about €1,400 a month, which |
| | | | in Paris is more or less equivalent to a |
| Unlike in America, cafes and restaurants in | | | | $2,500 salary in NYC. These guys put in 10 |
| Paris directly include a 15% service charge | | | | hours a day. Some years ago, they used to |
| in your check. This is required by French law | | | | work 14-15 hours a day, 6 days a week, to |
| as tips are assessed for taxation purposes. | | | | make more income. French law forbids them to |
| | | | do so today. So they appreciate your tip all |
| The 15% service charge is clearly itemized on | | | | the way: 5-10% of your fare is a good rule of |
| your check, on top of the VAT tax (a French | | | | thumb. |
| version of the sales tax). The words 'Service | | | | |
| compris' (Tip included) indicate that the tip | | | | At the theater, tip the lady usher: a couple |
| has already been included in the total to be | | | | of euros is fine at the opera house [these |
| paid. | | | | ladies are also paid on the evening programs |
| | | | they sell], 50 euro cents is good at the |
| The good news is that prices rated on the | | | | movie theaters. Years ago, the lady ushers |
| menus are all-inclusive: they include both | | | | were not even paid by movie theater |
| the 15% tip and the sales tax. There is no | | | | operators. They lived on tips only. Even if |
| last-minute unholy surprise when you are | | | | they are on a salary today, it is doubtful |
| given your check. What you saw on the menu is | | | | they earn more than the minimum wage. |
| what you get charged, no hidden extras. | | | | |
| | | | At your hotel, your porter will appreciate a |
| No further tipping? | | | | euro per bag. |
| | | | |
| A small extra-tip will be well received, of | | | | At expensive restaurants, classical concert |
| course. It is a way to show you liked how | | | | venues, and discos, coat ladies usually take |
| your waiter took care of you. This is not an | | | | care of your belongings. Tip them a euro per |
| obligation though. | | | | large item when you retrieve your coats. |
| | | | |
| Small extra tips are also welcome because | | | | At the museum, you may leave a couple of |
| they go directly into your waiter's pockets. | | | | euros to your guide if you went through a |
| Oftentimes the 15% service charge goes to a | | | | guided tour. |
| common pot which is divided at the end of the | | | | |
| day amongst all waiters. Some bar owners may | | | | In summary |
| also retain a portion or the entirety of the | | | | |
| service charge: French law does not require | | | | These are guidelines based on experience and |
| that service charges be given back to | | | | custom. They are in no way a uniform code of |
| waiters. So your waiter might not even see a | | | | conduct. These advices are also applicable |
| dime of it. | | | | elsewhere in France. In other French regions, |
| | | | where the standard of living is lower than in |
| In any case, you are under no obligation to | | | | Paris, tips are even more construed as a mark |
| extra tip. You paid your dues when you paid | | | | of generosity. |
| your check. | | | | |
| | | | In the final analysis, tipping is just that: |
| How much should the extra tip be? | | | | a sign of your generosity and of your |
| | | | appreciation of the level of service you have |
| Extra tips may range from just a couple of | | | | just received. |
| Euro dimes for a coffee or a soft drink, to | | | | |
| 1-5 euros for a lunch or dinner. A nice | | | | (This article has been written in |
| 'Thank You' is 5 to 10% of the total check. | | | | collaboration with Vincent Ramelli, a regular |
| But once again, there is no obligation, and | | | | contributor to Paris-Eiffel-Tower-News.com, a |
| no steadfast rule as far as the percentage | | | | Paris-born writer, and a specialist of the |
| goes. | | | | city. |