Paris English Forums

Shirley Cheadle · Posted: 28 July 2006 Tipping in Paris?

Hi
I know that many tipping practices are different in Paris than in US.
Is it custom to tip the hotel maids here?
At home I usually leave two dollars a night and wasn't sure what to do in Paris?
Thanks!

Val Phoenix · Posted: 31 July 2006

1 to 2 Euros per day is fine

Shirley Cheadle · Posted: 05 August 2006

OK
But is it customary to tip a bell hop or porter? How about a taxi driver?

Anjuta1973 · Posted: 07 August 2006

Tipping is one of those '..black holes..' of travel advice...advice goes in...but nothing useful ever comes back out.
Usually there will be 15% automatically added to your check at all restaurants and cafes. If you believe that the service has been good or the waiter has provided exceptional servive, then you can certainly leave more...a few extra coins is most common.
There are NO tips included in taxi or shuttle fares. Some people will tip 1 or 2 €uros to the driver...others 10% of the metered amount (the metered amount--not necesarily the full price of the ride, including regular surcharges for luggage--,90 €/bag--and extra passengers--2,70 € per 4th & 5th). With airport shuttle drivers, 1 €uro per bag is a common enough tip. If you feel the driver has performed some service over and above the call, then more as you deem appropriate.

Nicole Smith · Posted: 08 August 2006

Taxi driver -- one euro or round up.
Luggage is about 1 Euro per bag for van driver or bell hop

Shirley Cheadle · Posted: 10 August 2006

Small hotels do not have porters. At deluxe hotels that have porters tip at least 1.50 euro per bag and .75 euro per bag for moderately sized hotels. Taxi drivers may be tipped at 10% of the fare cost.

Nicole Smith · Posted: 11 August 2006

I have never tipped a hotel maid in Europe. I thought only Americans did, perhpas it is something new and now people are doing it...

Shirley Cheadle · Posted: 12 August 2006

OH! I didn't know that the tip is already included... really? Does it happends in all restaurants?

flower_curator · Paris Forums Visitor Joined: 15 May 2006 Posts: 70

My French friends told me on my visit to France that you only tip at the restaurant/cabs if the service was EXCEPTIONAL. I've never seen them leaving anything. I know it sounds a bit crazy for Americans, but waiters there have salaries - so you shouldn't feel bad by not tipping.

Val Phoenix · Posted: 15 August 2006

I've been a waitress in Paris and I was paid either working behind the bar or at the tables, by law everyone is paid in a restaurant or in a bar; waiters don't expect tips, but they are always happy if they get one. Regular Paris people never tip taxidrivers (it's already expensive enough !).

Elis · Paris Forums Frequenter Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Posts: 251

Everyone here is expecting tips from tourists

tulaka · Paris Forums Frequenter Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Posts: 216

I once was surprised to see a bill in restaurants stating "Tips not included". It's a direct hint!

mixi · Paris forums Member Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 139

Paris Forum Guest · Posted: 04 October 2008

By law, service is included in all French restaurants bills and as such, you are not required to pay one centime more and shouldn't if service is poor. However, most people leave a few extra Euros for good service.

Elis · Paris Forums Frequenter Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Posts: 251

Hey guest thank you very much for the info.

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