I can mostly speak for Belgium and Germany, as I have lived in both places...the rest of Europe, I can only comment on as a visitor and observer:-)
Believe it or not, as a whole, Americans OVER-TIP on this side of the big pond! FYI, if you are a European, please don't spam me....I am just being honest here....although bottom line, for extraordinary service, throw all guidelines out the window and tip away as you see fit, regardless of what country you are from!
On the flipside, why do American waiters and waitresses HATE serving Europeans? Cause they tip poorly and in fact, sometimes leaving nothing extra on the table....so, why is there a disconnect here?
I think to answer that, you have to understand that in Europe, being a waiter or waitress is actually considered a career. Yes, you go to school and get certificates and degrees in waitressing....even salesmanship (working in a store, or in a bakery) and you can't just hang out a shingle and be a butcher, as an example. There are strict guidelines and rules and people take their training seriously....very seriously for the most part! I am not kidding!
AND, their salaries....yes, I said SALARIES reflect that. Unlike in the US, where our waitstaff works BELOW minimum wage and is expected to live off their tips....the waitstaff in Europe is paid a salary they CAN survive on. That's why sometimes you have to seriously take off your shirt and wave it to get the waiter's attention....they are not particularly concerned with serving you.....except for the ones who know you are American and hope you don't know about this tipping thing. I have a few Italian waiter friends down in Italy, and they will fight over who serves the American.
In Germany, as an example, it is recommended to "round up" your bill. My German grandfather used to "round down" believe it or not...but always got the evil eye, so please don't be like him. For example, if the bill is 33,40 euro (so 33 euro and 40 cents), when you hand over the money, say 35 euro (although some Germans will say 34....but I like to go a euro higher...that's just me). Or you can say "das stimmt"....which means, "that is so". You usually don't leave the money on the table.
To see what a typical tip should consist of, check Rick Steve's guide which is spot on. Also know who you tip. Here in Belgium, my hairdresser looked at me like I was crazy when I tried to give her a 10 euro bill as a tip....so I just rounded up the cents. You'd be hard pressed here also to give money to your hotel shuttle driver, as they don't hold out their hand for tips, and I've never seen anyone tip them.
Does anyone have any European tipping tales to share?
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