I know that this topic has been discussed, but perhaps an update is needed.
We travel in May. We aren’t dining in Michelin-starred restaurants except Steirereck in Vienna, and Glass Garden in Salzburg. We will also spend time in Paris, Beaune, Alsace, and Barcelona.
Has the tipping culture changed in the last few years?
No changes, but they do vary by country. Perhaps more places have a tip line for credit cards.
Spain tips, locals in Italy and France just leave loose change, round up or tip nothing.
Great choice for Steireck, pricey but exceptional.
Thanks, and oops, I meant to put this in the travel sub.
As Barry said, most places now have these things covered on credit cards.
We’ve had a lot of issues with this in Denmark where tipping is an added option on the card reader, leading to a lot of awkward situations; if you’re for example seated next to a large group who ends up tipping despite it not being our norm, then it’s very uncomfortable being the next team settling the bill and selecting ‘no’ to the tip. Sometimes even the waiter clicks ‘no’ for you because they find it awkward too.
Have a nice trip!
seeing more and more service charges added to bills in Europe
Very much so in London.
Often you can opt out, but I don’t (it’s usually 10% or 12%).
My favorite London hotel now has a 5% service charge. I opt out as I prefer to tip bellman, maids, directly.
Several restaurants in Paris had tip options on their card readers on our trip there in December.
Simple really.
Don’t tip in Europe.
I’m quite sure those machines are not presented to locals with an option of tipping.
Of course if you want to, go ahead. But I 100% hope it doesn’t change the economics of restaurants.
For sure - the restaurants where we encountered this were the most Americanized, like Oobatz and Le Servan.
So, let’s not leave money on the table, and besides, they are Americans.
We saw tip lines on restaurant checks for the first time in the fall. Not many and all lower price sorts of places. I ignored them.
There are a few restaurants in Paris where we receive special consideration. I tip in cash at those places.