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