When
traveling to foreign countries, tourists should be aware of cultural norms in
terms of what is acceptable and what is not acceptable.
It is
especially true about the tipping culture all around the world. Where we do not
know how, when, how, and to who we must tip.
In this
post, we are going to emphasize France and everything you must be knowing about
its tipping culture.
If we want
to provide you with an exact answer to the question: do you tip in France? We
must say no. But it is not that simple, because there are different rules and
cultures which count as exceptions.
Stay with us
so that you can gain a complete understanding of tipping norms in France.
Do you tip in France?
For you to
completely understand the most important tips here, is best to compare France
to the US in terms of tipping rules.
Service
industry employees in the United States are often dependent on tips to earn a
living wage, since servers are rarely full-time employees with benefits, and
they are generally paid very little in the United States, so a major role of
their job is to provide friendly, attentive service to hungry visitors.
It is worth
noting that waiters in France usually are paid a living wage, receive good
health benefits, and are not dependent on tips. They are also less inclined to
provide the kind of service Americans are accustomed to in France.
In France,
waiters usually treat their job as a profession, not just something they do for
six months as students to make extra money. This is not to imply that waiters
are unable to provide quality service, however.
In France,
you will not need to tip the waiter if you wish to make a good tip, since they
will serve you according to your preferences instead.
It is very
common for French waiters not to introduce themselves when serving customers,
and they are always keeping you updated during the meal. They perform their
duties as they should, as it is a standard of French culture, and they are paid
accordingly.
Tipping in restaurants
The first
option we are going to talk about is tipping in France’s restaurants. Paris
restaurants and anywhere else in France do not expect you to tip. Well, maybe not
quite as much as you would do in the United States anyway, but at least you
have the option. You have no one to restrict you from tipping for good service.
It is common
for both the service charge and tax to be included in the price you see on the
menu. The service charge is reflected by the word service comprises, and the
tax is 15%. The service charge is not usually paid directly to the waiting
staff but is split equally.
The service
or meal can always be tipped for if it was good, but it is never expected. In
the unlikely event that you decide to tip, please place the coins in the tray
provided with the receipt.
When you
feel that the service was particularly good, you could leave a few cents extra
on the bill. For instance, you might leave 40 if the bill is 37. If the meal
was exceptionally good, you could leave a little more.
In cases
where you are not required to tip, it is wise not to do so except when you are
dining in a mediocre casual restaurant.
Rounding up
or leaving 5 or 10 percent of the bill is always appreciated when it comes to
paying the bill, especially when one has been to a Michelin-starred restaurant.
But leaving 20 percent would be out of place in France.
When foreign
travelers travel to France, they are unfamiliar with the tipping regulations.
As a result, they often leave a tip that is more American than French.
Regardless
of the fact that they are unlikely to ever leave a 20% tip, the French are
unlikely to do so if they want to fit in. If you are visiting France, remember
that tipping is not mandatory, and certainly not a 20% recommendation.
When you
purchase coffee or a simple drink in a cafe, you round up to the nearest euro.
For instance, a bill of 420 should be rounded up to 5 euros.
Tipping in
France is common practice, so if you are in a casual place like a café, do not
hesitate to tip for drinks and coffee.
It does not
appear cheapskately to pay only as specified on your bill, particularly if you
are in a casual restaurant. In fact, many French people choose to pay at the
cash register, insert their credit cards into the machine, and leave the
establishment.
If you ask
for the bill from the server, you will not usually receive it. However, if the
server is busy, you may be able to pay at the register.
You will not
find a tip line on your credit card receipt if you are outside of the touristy
areas most French restaurants do not accept cash tips or accept tips directly
on their credit cards.
It is even
possible that you will have been instructed to tip the server, hoping you do
not understand French culture, as well as foreign tourists, do. However, you
know better than to do so.
In Europe,
if you have only 40 euros in your pocket, but the bill is 40 euros, it is not
considered stiffing the waiter, as it would be in the United States.
However,
foreigners may feel uncomfortable not tipping in France. If you choose not to
tip, it is perfectly acceptable. After a delicious meal, a lot of French people
leave a small tip. It is not offensive to not tip if that is how you choose to
feel.
There would
be an exception to this rule in the case of a top-notch restaurant or such a
place that goes above and beyond to ensure the best possible experience for its
customers.
There may
have been some last-minute arrangements made for your food allergy, or they may
have gone out of their way to accommodate your needs. Tipping is entirely up to
you.
When using a
credit card, the entire process is quick and painless. You simply need to walk
up to the register. In busier restaurants, however, the waiter may take a while
to reach you, so it is best to walk up and find the register by yourself.
The custom
is to place a few coins into the tip jar or bowl at the entrance of the
restaurant to share with the staff.
If you
intend to leave some money behind after leaving France, keep your eyes open for
a tip bowl before exiting the country.
Tipping the haircut
Getting a
haircut is always a pleasant experience, and people generally only pay for the
service and leave the rest to the individual who provided the service, unless
they are particularly satisfied with the outcome. A few euros is fine.
Furthermore,
be considerate of those you see regularly. For example, if a new hairstylist
receives a tip the first time you see him or her, it is likely that he or she
will expect a tip in the future.
Tipping the delivery people
Another
issue tourists face in France, is how to tip in France if there are delivery
people. In this case, we should mention that no tip is necessary.
Furthermore,
consider leaving a tip for those you see frequently. For example, if you left
one the first time you met your hairdresser, it is likely that you will expect
one the next time you see him or her.
Tipping housekeeping
The norm in
France is not to tip every day for housekeeping services at hotels. However,
housekeeping is a thankless and backbreaking occupation, so I always leave a
few euros for housekeeping at hotels of all classes.
Tipping takeout delivery
In these
situations it is not customary to leave a tip, however, if the order is
complicated, the delivery person is on a scooter, or it is raining, rounding up
to the nearest euro or adding a couple of euros to the delivery bill will make
the individual's night. This is not customary, but I usually add a few Euros to
deliveries made through apps.
Tipping the taxi drivers
It is not
required for taxi drivers to accept tips; however, most locals will round up to
the nearest euro or tip five percent of the fare if the driver assists you with
your luggage, particularly if it is large. Tip one or two euros per kilogram as
fare if the driver assists you with your luggage.
If you are
hiring a private car for transportation to and from the airport, a full-day
tour of the city, or whatever service you need, there is a customary tipping
policy.
Tipping at hotels
Consider
leaving a tip for a variety of hotel services as a gesture of gratitude for the
services provided:
- Luggage
handlers: one or two euros per bag
- Doormen: one or
two euros
- Room service
waiters: a few euros
- Housekeeping
staff: two to four euros per day
- Concierge: five
to 20 euros
Tipping in spas
France's
tipping customs range from 5 to 10% for hairdressers, beauticians, masseurs,
massage therapists, and other professions related to well-being.
Tipping for tours
In France,
tipping can be tricky if you arrange for a private tour, a class, or an
excursion directly with a guide or instructor. In most cases, you will not be
charged a tip if you arrange a private tour, class, or excursion directly with
the guide or instructor.
A 10-20
percent gratuity is customary when booking an adventure through an online booker,
through a tour operator, or through your concierge if you feel the experience
has been beneficial to you.
There is
typically information regarding tipping in the small print of your booking
confirmation; you may wish to review it first.
Conclusion
As we stated
above, tipping can be tricky sometimes, especially in countries where we have
no idea what their tipping norms are.
All in all, if you need an exact and clean
answer about tipping around France, the answer is no. There is no necessity for
you to leave a tip in this country. But in case of receiving good service, you
can consider as much as you desire as a tip.