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Should You Tip in Paris?

Sitting at a cafe terrace in Paris, and
watching people passing by while sipping onHow  do  you  tip  elsewhere?
your Perrier water is not something you want
to miss. But here comes the check, and withIn many cases, tips are a valuable income
it  the question: should I tip, and how much?supplement  for  their  recipients.
By  Phil  ChavanneTake taxi drivers for instance: the average
salary of a taxi driver employed by a cab
The  check  is  all  inclusivecompany 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 chargehours a day. Some years ago, they used to
in your check. This is required by French lawwork 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 onthe way: 5-10% of your fare is a good rule of
your check, on top of the VAT tax (a Frenchthumb.
version of the sales tax). The words 'Service
compris' (Tip included) indicate that the tipAt the theater, tip the lady usher: a couple
has already been included in the total to beof 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 themovie theaters. Years ago, the lady ushers
menus are all-inclusive: they include bothwere not even paid by movie theater
the 15% tip and the sales tax. There is nooperators. They lived on tips only. Even if
last-minute unholy surprise when you arethey are on a salary today, it is doubtful
given your check. What you saw on the menu isthey  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, ofAt expensive restaurants, classical concert
course. It is a way to show you liked howvenues, and discos, coat ladies usually take
your waiter took care of you. This is not ancare of your belongings. Tip them a euro per
obligation  though.large  item  when  you  retrieve  your coats.
Small extra tips are also welcome becauseAt 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 aguided  tour.
common pot which is divided at the end of the
day amongst all waiters. Some bar owners mayIn  summary
also retain a portion or the entirety of the
service charge: French law does not requireThese are guidelines based on experience and
that service charges be given back tocustom. They are in no way a uniform code of
waiters. So your waiter might not even see aconduct. 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 toParis, tips are even more construed as a mark
extra tip. You paid your dues when you paidof  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 ofjust  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, andcontributor to Paris-Eiffel-Tower-News.com, a
no steadfast rule as far as the percentageParis-born writer, and a specialist of the
goes.city.



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