Filed under: Berlin, bill, Germany, gratuity, hairdresser, History & Information, Restaurants & Bars, service charge, tip, tipping
What do you tip in Germany?
This is a common question for tourists and the simple answer is: you don’t have to tip anything. Unlike the US, with it’s miniscule pay for wait staff, Germany’s waiters and bartenders get a real paycheck at a decent rate. It is considered polite to tip, howver, if the service and food has been good, but this is usually only a rounding up of around 10% and it is not at all a requirement. The German rules are that tax and service is included in the bill.
Recently, AFP has reported that many restaurants and bars in have been writing “Tip not included” on bills they hand out to foreign customers. Some restaurants have defended it, saying that tips from tourists have dramatically decreased recently, but it is a questionable practice.
Stick to the roughly 10% – if you liked the meal and service.
If it is just a coffee, for example, I often don’t tip at all, or round it up to the next 50cents.
Oh, and as for hairdressers, hair washers, hair dryers, waxers, etc, etc? These guys don’t get tipped. You just enjoy the new style, pay the asked amount and waltz out the door.
Tags: Berlin, bill, Germany, gratuity, hairdresser, History & Information, Restaurants & Bars, service charge, tip, tipping
2 Comments
It’s nice to see Germany not falling into the ‘tip everyone for everything’ concept. In the US, its gotten out of hand. I love the tip included concept.
It is really good – and it means that staff aren’t trying to hustle you out of your chairs quickly. Here you can enjoy a drawn out meal, relaxed drinks and chit-chat, and leave when you want to without feeling pressured. It’s a nice way to go out eating.