Essentials > Money Matters > Tipping

Let's get this straightened out at once:

• You are not required to tip in restaurants.

• You are not required to tip waiters/waitresses.

• A 15% service fee is automatically included in ALL cafés, restaurants, bars, etc.

• Servers in France do not live off of tips. They get paid vacations, health care, and living wages.

Having said that, it's always polite to tip when you've received good service (wow, what a novelty). The French usually round up a few euros, but in case you want a formula, 10% for anything under €100, and 15% for anything over €100 (especially if you're dining at a Michelin-star restaurant) or if you've been a particularly demanding client (ie pain in the a**). If you have had rude service, DO NOT FEEL OBLIGED TO TIP! If you ask the server if the tip is included, they will most likely say no. This is because in France a tip is a tip, and the service fee of 15% is required. Don't let them guilt you into tipping. Don't guilt yourself into tipping for bad service. It brings down the level of service. And we don't need that in France!

Tipping Elsewhere 

Tip hairdressers, tour guides, theatre ushers, and taxi drivers (no more than 10%), parking valets and concierges (depending on how demanding you've been). In hotels it’s customary to tip luggage handlers, room service (except for breakfast) and to leave something on your pillow for housekeeping (especially if you've been a slob). In some places (like cloak rooms) you may see a sign that says pourboire interdit (tipping forbidden).

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