mattsf
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by mattsf on Mar 2, 2009 23:04:09 GMT -5
I feel like this may be a silly question, but how often and how much do you tip in Paris?
I guess it's pretty straight forward if the service est compris, but do you ever leave an extra pourboire for the waiter? What about in cafes, taxis... and most importantly, what about in bars?
Cheers,
Matt
P.S. I'll post my tentative itinerary soon!
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Post by Anne on Mar 3, 2009 4:22:38 GMT -5
Matt, you don't have to tip . I only leave a pourboire when I consider that the service has been both efficient and friendly . Pourboire can range from a few tens of cents for a café to a few euros in a basic restaurant and to a few tens of euros in a very top restaurant . For a short taxi ride, people tend to leave all or part of the change to the driver . Again, I won't tip a sulking driver .
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Post by Truffaut on Mar 3, 2009 13:39:22 GMT -5
Matt,
Anne has it exactly right (as usual). A taxi from the airport is worth 2-3 euros, a regular taxi ride in the city 1-2 euros, a 2- or 3-star restaurant maybe 20 euros, a regular restaurant 1-3 euros, a bar when you've had complicated drinks and you've been there a while 1-2 euros, a bar when you've had beer or wine 1 euro, a bar where the barman is really hot maybe 5 euros....
Nobody will notice if you don't leave much of a tip, because tipping is really the reward for exemplary service. If the service isn't exemplary, then don't leave a tip. If you're planning to return to the same bar or restaurant over and over again, however, it can be worthwhile to tip a bit to ensure future good service.
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Post by kerouac on Mar 3, 2009 14:20:08 GMT -5
There are many cases where a waiter will make the amount of the expected tip obvious. For example, if you are expecting 1€ in change and he gives you two 0.50€ coins, that is a message.
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Post by Happygoin on Mar 3, 2009 14:29:29 GMT -5
Sort of along these lines, if a restaurant comps you drinks and/or dessert etc, is a tip in order outside of the good/bad service issue? Or is that completely unrelated?
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Post by sunshine817 on Mar 3, 2009 14:30:40 GMT -5
Hmmm...I've traditionally tipped really hot bartenders with buttons.
You know, unbutton one if he's hot, two if I'm drunk...
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Post by Jody on Mar 3, 2009 16:32:45 GMT -5
Sunshine , go to your room and take a time out!!!! LMAO
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Post by Truffaut on Mar 3, 2009 17:32:01 GMT -5
Now I know why all the boys wear button-fly Levis 501s.  |
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Post by Anne on Mar 4, 2009 4:41:58 GMT -5
Sunshine, really ... ;D !
Happy, I only ever got complimentary things in restaurants from friendly waiters, sometimes to make up for problems in the service which is a nice way to acknoledge and apologize for problems . I would indeed feel bad not tipping generously the waiter for this .
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Post by joan1 on Mar 4, 2009 16:59:07 GMT -5
Sunshine, Truffaut, What a bunch of perverts,.... wish I could party with you all..LOL
Kerouac,, I agree that is a good hint,,, but, if service was shabby I would not take the hint,, but if it was remotely efficent or even mildly pleasant then I would.
I hate it when people tip for lousy service, it ruins it for others..
To be fair, I have never really felt I have recievced service so lousy that I wouldn't leave a bit of change at least. I have however gotten up , after being seated , but not attended to for more then 15 mintues..( Le Proscope) and left.. If they can't take a drink order, or even bring me a menu to look at in that length of time I won't bother to risk the rest of the meals service.
Edited to add: We were dressed nicely,and had reservations too!
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Post by cigalechanta on Mar 4, 2009 18:59:18 GMT -5
party's getting rough, think i'll stay ....lol
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Post by sistereurope on Mar 4, 2009 21:02:42 GMT -5
I'm glad to see that the standards of OP have remained high in my absence. ;D
Back on topic...I always tip 20% here, unless the service is really bad. Tipping in Europe takes some getting used to. I feel cheap! Altough with the button suggestion, I guess that would be prudish instead...
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mattsf
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by mattsf on Mar 5, 2009 3:16:27 GMT -5
Hahaha nice! I guess I was just worried that tipping for drinks was a very American tourist thing to do. Now I know to just pack my button-fly jeans.
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Post by kerouac on Mar 5, 2009 4:11:16 GMT -5
Kerouac,, I agree that is a good hint,,, but, if service was shabby I would not take the hint,, but if it was remotely efficent or even mildly pleasant then I would. Don't worry, the hint is often ignored. |
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Post by shortstayparis on Oct 13, 2009 12:28:07 GMT -5
One major point to note that no-one has pointed out: a lot of the time in resaurants you will get a bill with 'Service Compris' - this means it's assumed you're already paying a gratuity (12.5% as I recall?), and can in fact retract this from your bill if you're feeling bit sour about the hospitality you've been offered... otherwise don't forget that many less people are eating out at the moment due to << the Credit Crunch >> (la Crise) and those that are are fully in the right to be frugal. The French will have implemented the European directive that waiting staff may no longer have their pay be totalled up in tips. If you want to feel even more in the right about your not leaving tips, watch the opening scene of Resevoir Dogs |
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Post by luckyluc on Oct 13, 2009 12:57:24 GMT -5
Sérieusement! Vraiment! Have you personnally retract the service from a bill ?
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Post by shortstayparis on Oct 13, 2009 13:14:56 GMT -5
Yes, Sérieusement! I was served a really dodgy biftek up near Montmartre, accompanied with ice-cold wine and no enthusiasm.
It may seem cold, but sometimes you need to be at least acknowledged by the staff as more than just a chore!
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Post by luvparis on Oct 13, 2009 13:49:56 GMT -5
What would you tip a driver of a private hired car from the airport to city center. the same as a taxi driver?
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Post by afds on Oct 15, 2009 5:06:28 GMT -5
Yes, Sérieusement! I was served a really dodgy biftek up near Montmartre, accompanied with ice-cold wine and no enthusiasm. It may seem cold, but sometimes you need to be at least acknowledged by the staff as more than just a chore! Maybe I should have done this at Chez Flottes  |
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hahahha