Tipping?

[SDJames]

When reading yesterday's question about prices of drinks and snacks in bars along the way, leaving a tip was mentioned. I had not previously given this any thought. Is that practice assumed, as it is here in the US? Assuming the answer is "yes", how much? I'm not trying to be cheap, I simply want to do what's right.

 

[Molly Cassidy]

No, you do not need to tip. If you want to leave something, it's usual to round up the bill to a whole euro.

 

[TravellingMan22]

When reading yesterday's question about prices of drinks and snacks in bars along the way, leaving a tip was mentioned. I had not previously given this any thought. Is that practice assumed, as it is here in the US? Assuming the answer is "yes", how much? I'm not trying to be cheap, I simply want to do what's right.

as @Molly Cassidy says above.

The whole tipping thing has gone out of control in the US but you don’t need to worry about it in Spain.

 

[SDJames]

Does that pertain to restaurants, too?

 

[Molly Cassidy]

Does that pertain to restaurants, too?

If you have a Menu del Dia, you are not expected to tip. Other times in restaurants it's your choice, but 5-10% would be the maximum I would tip.

 

[Anhalter]

If you only take a little, you leave nothing or little. Like if coffe for 1,30 and you have 1,50 in coins, you might just leave the 20ct. Or not. No worries.
The more upscale things get, you kinda should leave a little more, but nothing crazy.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola, as mentioned above, thankfully restaurants/bars in Spain do not expect a tip, especially from pilgrims. I go with the "rounding up" philosophy. Or if the coffee and snack was E4.00 and I pay with a E5 note I might indicate to keep the change. May I suggest its the "was the service more than a little above what was expected" case. Its your decision. Cheers

 

[Marbe2]

I tip the room cleaner, if they bring in housekeeping. If it’s very small place, then no., And I got the idea from someone on this website to leave the tip under the pillow! I tip a small amount, 5-10 percent depending upon the service.

 

[Robo]

When reading yesterday's question about prices of drinks and snacks in bars along the way, leaving a tip was mentioned. I had not previously given this any thought. Is that practice assumed, as it is here in the US? Assuming the answer is "yes", how much? I'm not trying to be cheap, I simply want to do what's right.

I don't think the tipping culture like in the US exists anywhere else.
In that it forms a large part of the staff income as I understand?
(correct me if I'm wrong, but in 30-40 countries I have never come across it)

In Spain, as elsewhere. I tend to leave a bit of the change from paying the bill......
Never really thought of it as a %.
It's a thank you for good/pleasant service.

Any small coins I accumulate I also use for this purpose. They are heavy!

 

[wayfarer]

This old pancake comes up regularly, the short answer I have is that tipping in Spain is not obligatory like say in the US but is very much appreciated by the staff. I would normally tip to the tune of about 10%, for coffee etc just round up. If the service is bad I don't tip.
Don't let people tell you that tipping is not expected or insulting to the service staff, that is just not true. If you are happy with the service be generous.

 

[wayfarer]

No, you do not need to tip. If you want to leave something, it's usual to round up the bill to a whole euro.

If your bill came to say €50 rounding it up to €51 would be very insulting.

 

[Molly Cassidy]

If your bill came to say €50 rounding it up to €51 would be very insulting.

Yes, I realise that. I've never had a €50 bill in Spain, though. My bill is usually less than €10, unless I have a menu del dia.

Having said that, there is still no obligation to tip at all.

 

[wayfarer]

Yes, I realise that. I've never had a €50 bill in Spain, though. My bill is usually less than €10, unless I have a menu del dia.

Having said that, there is still no obligation to tip at all.

If your bills are less than €10 then €1 is a good tip.
As I said above, no obligation to tip and people who are too tight to tip won't anyway, like I said, if you are happy with the service be generous.

 

[trecile]

I don't think the tipping culture like in the US exists anywhere else.
In that it forms a large part of the staff income as I understand?
(correct me if I'm wrong, but in 30-40 countries I have never come across it)

The tipping culture is strong in resort areas in Mexico, and ome jobs, such as baggers in grocery stores rely solely on tips (at least that was true in the recent past).

 

[Portach]

When reading yesterday's question about prices of drinks and snacks in bars along the way, leaving a tip was mentioned. I had not previously given this any thought. Is that practice assumed, as it is here in the US? Assuming the answer is "yes", how much? I'm not trying to be cheap, I simply want to do what's right.

We usually leave loose change for things like coffee or a drink, 10% for a meal. I have family who live in Spain who think that’s outrageously generous!

 

[Pafayac]

EU rules states that the prices should be service included.

But if you want to leave a tip, there will be no offense !

 

[Camino Chrissy]

In the US tipping is expected and relied on to supplement the wages of wait staff at restaurants. The average "standard" has risen to now 20% several years ago. If I get good service or a friendly face, I have no problem with that tip. I now notice when the bill comes, often tipping options are listed at the top. You can choose to check a box to add either 18, 20 or 25% to the bill, and automatically calculates the total, which is quick and easier than adding it up yourself. This in no way "strong arms" you, as you can add in a lesser amount yourself, although it does subtly encourages larger tips.
That said, an unwritten rule I hear of is that you never tip owners of businesses, whether restaurants, or hairdressers, for example.
In Spain, when I leave a larger tip beyond a few small coins at any sit down meal, I always get an appreciative smile and have never noticed any embarrassing looks from the person serving me, no matter how high their wage may be from their employer.

 

[TravellingMan22]

In the US tipping is expected and relied on to supplement the wages of wait staff at restaurants. The average "standard" has risen to now 20% several years ago. If I get good service or a friendly face, I have no problem with that tip. I now notice when the bill comes, often tipping options are listed at the top. You can choose to check a box to add either 18, 20 or 25% to the bill, and automatically calculates the total, which is quick and easier than adding it up yourself. This in no way "strong arms" you, as you can add in a lesser amount yourself, although it does subtly encourages larger tips.
That said, an unwritten rule I hear of is that you never tip owners of businesses, whether restaurants, or hairdressers, for example.
In Spain, when I leave a larger tip beyond a few small coins at any sit down meal, I always get an appreciative smile and have never noticed any embarrassing looks from the person serving me, no matter how high their wage may be from their employer.

Frequent visitor to USA. Been noticeable to me in two recent visits totalling 6 weeks how tipping is now largely in many ‘takeaway/‘to go’ establishments as well. Such as coffee shops. So you tip before you receive the service and i have seen suggestions up to 30%. Ballparks for example which are nearly all cashless, suggest a tip for handing you a can of beer.

I tend to tip 20% in USA. I travel alone and tend to sit at bar and talk to the bartender for ages and it’s normally a great chat so I get my value!!

Had a classic in Santa Monica, CA this past Friday. Found a great happy hour and totalled up 4 wines and two food at USD 46. When the check came the recommended tip came at the non happy hour price and this was clearly stated on the receipt. ! So they had recommended a tip of about USD 20 on a bill of USD 46!

Lots of comment in USA media on tipping!

 

[Glenshiro]

The average "standard" has risen to now 20%

Good grief! A lot of chain restaurants in the UK add 10 - 12.5% to the bill as an "optional service charge" but 20% would provoke a riot. Well, in the UK, more like an eye roll and a muttered "tut."

 

[TravellingMan22]

Good grief! A lot of chain restaurants in the UK add 10 - 12.5% to the bill as an "optional service charge" but 20% would provoke a riot. Well, in the UK, more like an eye roll and a muttered "tut."

Yes!! Last week I noticed it had creept up a littl. Many seemed to go with 18,20,22 last year but it was mainly 18,22, 25 last week. Prices are quoted as nett too so you have to add taxes to the listed price. My $7 beer ended up around $10!

 

[Glenshiro]

Prices are quoted as net too so you have to add taxes to the listed price.

That was a strange experience in the US. I think everywhere in Europe insists that shops, restaurants etc show the total price, including any local taxes.

 

[TravellingMan22]

That was a strange experience in the US. I think everywhere in Europe insists that shops, restaurants etc show the total price, including any local taxes.

It’s normal there and taxes vary by state. Just how it works. You become used to it. Not much beats the ‘quality’ of the US bartender. More type of jobs get tips too. People tip hotel maids, coach drivers as well much of the time in my experience. I will defer to USA folks though as I am a tourist!!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

People tip hotel maids, coach drivers as well much of the time in my experience. I will defer to USA folks though

Yep, I leave $2-3/per day on a hotel bed when I leave, sitting on the bed, not under the pillow. I give a coach driver $1 for digging my suitcase out from underneath, as two examples.

 

[DwainS]

Does that pertain to restaurants, too?

I was sitting with a German fellow in Atapuerca having a 3 course pilgrim meal in a restaurant and when we went to pay we wanted to leave a tip. She said no thanks just pay the bill. But on the whole I just rounded up to the next euro. Counter service were I went up and got my own food, I did not tip.

 

[peregrina2000]

10% for a meal.

Well, if you were to come to the US, you wouldn’t even find a 10% option on the ipad screen where you have to click on a tip while the wait staff stand there watching you. In some places, 20% is the smallest amount offered, sometimes you can find 18%. You can click on “other” and enter your own amount, but research shows that most people are reluctant to do that while they are being watched, so overwhelmingly those people go with the lowest % offered.

 

[Marbe2]

In the US tipping is expected and relied on to supplement the wages of wait staff at restaurants. The average "standard" has risen to now 20% several years ago. If I get good service or a friendly face, I have no problem with that tip. I now notice when the bill comes, often tipping options are listed at the top. You can choose to check a box to add either 18, 20 or 25% to the bill, and automatically calculates the total, which is quick and easier than adding it up yourself. This in no way "strong arms" you, as you can add in a lesser amount yourself, although it does subtly encourages larger tips.
That said, an unwritten rule I hear of is that you never tip owners of businesses, whether restaurants, or hairdressers, for example.
In Spain, when I leave a larger tip beyond a few small coins at any sit down meal, I always get an appreciative smile and have never noticed any embarrassing looks from the person serving me, no matter how high their wage may be from their employer.

a number of businesses show similar tipping options using percentages when paying my bill…including Olive Garden. However, last year I noticed that the percentage was based after the tax was included in the bill! So, ineffect, I was tipping the tax as well!! It is supposed to be a percentage of the bill (not tax as well)!!

 

[thewalkingkat]

I always tip at least a small amount.

For very small purchases, I'll round up to the next 50 Cents or the next Euro, if it's a bigger meal, about 10%. Another factor for me is how long I've been sitting there. If I take a long break, use the restroom, fill my water bottles, have received a free snack with my drink, it'll be a bit more than at a 10 minute coffee break.

 

[peregrina2000]

That said, an unwritten rule I hear of is that you never tip owners of businesses, whether restaurants, or hairdressers, for example.

I think that rule is a thing of the past — my hairdresser owns her own studio, and when I go to pay, her ipad flashes with the same tip options as my favorite Indian restaurant.

And yes, this is TOTALLY off topic, but we’re being polite and exchanging cultural practices, so I’m not going to shut it down, not yet! Though another mod may always decide differently.

 

[TravellingMan22]

a number of businesses show similar tipping options using percentages when paying my bill…including Olive Garden. However, last year I noticed that the percentage was based after the tax was included in the bill! So, ineffect, I was tipping the tax as well!! It is supposed to be a percentage of the bill (not tax as well)!!

Yes I saw a few instances of that in USA last week!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Well, if you were to come to the US, you wouldn’t even find a 10% option on the ipad screen where you have to click on a tip while the wait staff stand there watching you. In some places, 20% is the smallest amount offered, sometimes you can find 18%. You can click on “other” and enter your own amount, but research shows that most people are reluctant to do that while they are being watched, so overwhelming those people go with the lowest % offered.

I go 20%, but if the waiter goes above and beyond standard service, such as bringing extra rolls if they are delicious, or additional chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant, or if I happen to share a meal, I then tip somewhat higher.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

And yes, this is TOTALLY off topic, but we’re being polite and exchanging cultural practices, so I’m not going to shut it down, not yet! Though another mod may always decide differently.

Yes, our cultural differences in tipping on our home turf/country, usually reflect our opinions on what we decide to do with the tipping customs in Spain or elsewhere. I do tip less in Spain than at home, but leaving only a few small coins on the table feels too cheap to me, unless I've only ordered a coffee.

 

[Jagdev D.]

I don't think the tipping culture like in the US exists anywhere else.
In that it forms a large part of the staff income as I understand?
(correct me if I'm wrong, but in 30-40 countries I have never come across it)

In Spain, as elsewhere. I tend to leave a bit of the change from paying the bill......
Never really thought of it as a %.
It's a thank you for good/pleasant service.

Any small coins I accumulate I also use for this purpose. They are heavy!

@Robo,
I live next to the most tipped/tipping etc.. etc.. country,
I maybe the only person , who believe and abhor tipping in any form or shape, fine leave the change for the round up,
But, here in these parts of the wold the tipping is already included in the bills from 15% to up 30% on top of exorbitant food bills.
Automatic !!!
One have no choice in for how much tipping ?
Or not.

Why not put all in the prices of the food /beverage , then it will be choice/ my option to buy the item or not?

The tradition/custom of Tipping in North America is way out of touch , not even close to any reality.
But

Now even European are expecting TIPPING when the know you are from N.A.
Jeez…
My two cents.
Buen camino and Peace to to all !

 

[SayaTibi2023]

The tradition/custom of Tipping in North America is way out of touch , not even close to any reality.

Tipping probably means different things in different countries with different labor laws and healthcare systems.

Tipping in the US is part of a bigger problem.

"All employees are entitled to a full minimum wage per hour, whether they receive tips or otherwise. The minimum wage is determined by either state or federal law. Federally, minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, meaning every employee across the U.S. should be paid a minimum of $7.25 per hour of work.
However, some state laws may indicate that tips may make up part of the minimum wage for employees as long as this minimum hourly wage is reached. This means that some employers are legally allowed to pay less than the federal minimum wage as long as employees receive tips that make up the balance."

It is very difficult to live on the minimum wage.

According to one website, in 2024, wages for waiters/waitresses averages out to about $8/hour, while most (85%) get no health benefits.

This is not an easy situation for anyone, especially when costs of food and health care are on the increase.

Until the bigger situation is changed, tipping is pretty important for people in this situation.

 

[SabsP]

I never visited the USA or Canada and I will most likely never travel to these countries.
But I travelled through alot of European countries. Being a waiter is in most European countries a proper job with a proper wage and decent social security to match.
But I always tip , round up the amount : being generous in general. Especially when I see it is a student because I was one too ages ago.

I repeat what I posted earlier on another thread.

" No If you make yourself familiar with local customs you will see that some customers round up the bill and leave the change.
In all my years I visited Spain I never met a waiter who found it disrespectful.
I remember from last camino when three of us had some raciones and beers. Total was 27.5 € and we gave 30 € and left the change. That is less than 1 € per person " tip". "

 

[lalaone]

In the US, the closest thing I can think of to leaving spare change these days is relatively recent: screen prompts to round up your bill for charity, to the next dollar. This is ubiquitous at grocery stores and gas stations. I always decline, as I like to research charities first before donating. Others donate the virtual change. Personally, I always preferred leaving it for the workers themselves in an old-fashioned "tip jar"

https://www.npr.org/2024/03/10/1236458377/charity-roundup-donations-stores-fundraising

Otherwise, in Europe I do leave spare change for small transactions, and at least 10% for a proper sit-down meal. In the US, 20+% for sit-down service or delivery and, increasingly, a couple dollars for carryout at local-run places (not big chains) - the latter was never a thing pre-2020 but now definitely seems more expected.

 

[Tincatinker]

‘Sinteresting innit. Suppose, just suppose, that instead of an expectation of a 20% tip that 20% was front loaded on the cost of your bijou snackette. So, that 10$ burger is listed at 12$. The burger hasn’t changed, the service hasn’t changed, nothing has changed at all except, possibly, your opinion of the value of your meal.

In one of those family run meson where you can get a decent menu del Dia for a clearly stated price all those tricksy, embarrassing, calculations have been done for you. The price is the price, including service.

And if you want to leave an extra €1 on the table for whoever is going to clean up the appalling mess you’ve left. Good on you. But there’ll be no outrage left behind you whether you do or don’t

 

[SDJames]

Wow! I had no idea what I was starting...! But thank you to those who actually answered my question and helped me.

 

[Flog]

Wow! I had no idea what I was starting...!

Yes, but not to worry, the political police will be along shortly to tidy it up..

 

[C clearly]

Yes, but not to worry, the political police will be along shortly to tidy it up..

Here I am. So glad to be of service

Wow! I had no idea what I was starting...! But thank you to those who actually answered my question and helped me.

Those of us who have been around for awhile knew right away . It was just a matter of time!

Since you have your answers, it is probably best to close the thread!