Tipping Culture in Europe...

[newdad]

Do you still tip when hiring a masseur or provider in  Europe?

In America it's pretty much mandatory because of the culture that originally started in restaurant industry but has now seeped through the other industries.

When eating at restaurants in Europe (major countries), tipping is not expected and sometimes frowned upon or discouraged. I wonder if this no-tipping culture permeates when hiring masseurs and providers in Europe.

Edited March 26 by newdad

[robberbaron4u]

In my experience, a "tip" is always appreciated. In venues where tipping is prohibited or not encouraged, I "palm" a $20  bill or a comparable amount in the currency of the place and shake hands with the waiter or provider with "Thank you in having served me" or, in the case of a hotel or spa masseur, "Thank you. You are the master of your art".

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Tips for any human being doing a job is appreciated.

And it's Asia where tips can be seen as offensive, not Europe.

[Jamie21]

Tipping is definitely welcome in London. Particularly in the area of my studio. Inside it in fact. In my hand. 😉

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

10 hours ago, newdad said:

In America it's pretty much mandatory because of the culture...

The culture is to tip employees for personalized service, not a business owner who sets his own prices.

Many people will tip a masseur at a spa after paying the spa for the published rates.  Many people do not tip a massuer who owns and operates his own studio or makes house calls, as he selected his own price for the services rendered.  I use that same guideline in Europe.  I tip a sex worker at a brothel, because I paid the bothel a set rate before hand.  But I do not tip a sex worker I hire from an online ad or meet in a sauna, because the worker sets the price for what he is offering.

But by all means, give money or gifts to your heart's content in any situation on any continent (except Asia) and no one will consider you rude.

[Simon Suraci]

4 hours ago, Jamie21 said:

In my hand.

I figured putting my tip in your hand might be pushy or jumping the gun tho. Must be my prudish American sensibility.

[newdad]

7 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

And it's Asia where tips can be seen as offensive, not Europe.

 I just had dinner at a restaurant in Lisbon Portugal (Europe) tonight and the owner was demanding that the customer take back his tips. She was rather pissed that the customer gave her a tip.

She serves good food and has great Yelp reviews; you should try it. Her restaurant's name is: Frangasqueira Nacional. Check it out on Yelp to see her glowing reviews (puts any RM review to shame).

And if you don't believe me that she would feel insulted at tips, try even leaving one Euro and you'll hear her go off at you. (saw it first hand tonight. I love Europe and its non-reliance to tipping culture.)

Edited March 27 by newdad

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

4 hours ago, newdad said:

 I just had dinner at a restaurant in Lisbon Portugal (Europe) tonight and the owner was demanding that the customer take back his tips. She was rather pissed that the customer gave her a tip.

She serves good food and has great Yelp reviews; you should try it. Her restaurant's name is: Frangasqueira Nacional. Check it out on Yelp to see her glowing reviews (puts any RM review to shame).

And if you don't believe me that she would feel insulted at tips, try even leaving one Euro and you'll hear her go off at you. (saw it first hand tonight. I love Europe and its non-reliance to tipping culture.)

I'm aware of where Portugal is.  I've been several times.

I've traveled throughout Europe, where tipping culture is greatly appreciated considering their costs of living.

One small eatery owner in Lisbon not accepting tips does not make for all European ideology. 

 

EDIT:  Just read the restaurant's reviews on google and I think I'm good.  Any place that has multiple bad reviews for racial discrimination and an owner who clearly likes to intimidate patrons can suck a dick...  And not in a good, life-affirming way.

She seems like a c*nt.  Not shocked at her reaction to being offered a tip. 

Perhaps a xanax would have been more appropriate.

Edited March 27 by BenjaminNicholas

[+ azdr0710]

4 hours ago, newdad said:

 I just had dinner at a restaurant in Lisbon Portugal (Europe) tonight and the owner was demanding that the customer take back his tips. She was rather pissed that the customer gave her a tip.

She serves good food and has great Yelp reviews; you should try it. Her restaurant's name is: Frangasqueira Nacional. Check it out on Yelp to see her glowing reviews (puts any RM review to shame).

And if you don't believe me that she would feel insulted at tips, try even leaving one Euro and you'll hear her go off at you. (saw it first hand tonight. I love Europe and its non-reliance to tipping culture.)

were "you" (?) trying to tip the owner....or an employee?.......if the owner, I might be a bit perturbed, too........

[BSR]

10 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

Tips for any human being doing a job is appreciated.

And it's Asia where tips can be seen as offensive, not Europe.

The key, of course, is "can be."  In Japan, yes (so I've read), but tips are most welcome in the Philippines.  There is no set percentage.  Plenty of Filipinos don't tips at all, some tip just a 100 pesos (less than $2) on a huge check, some tip 10% or more.

When an aunt visited Baguio, she played at my uncle's tennis club.  She loved playing in the Philippines because you could hire a "pulut-boy" (ballboy) who would chase down all the balls & feed them to you (just like the pro tour!) for just 50 pesos for the whole match (this was a while back, so adjust for inflation).  She always gave 100 pesos (easy when you have Yankee dollars), and sometimes the pulut-boy would literally break down & cry tears of joy.

Mind you, I can't promise that your pinoy ("Filipino" in Filipino) escort/masseur will cry tears of joy if you tip him, but safe to say that tips are greatly appreciated.

[viewing ownly]

It's a terrific question to ask. It seems like for U.S. travelers, they're at a horrid disadvantage, as the World over is well aware that tipping is simply done for almost anything in this country (selling me a candy bar, tearing my movie ticket), while it's understood that Europeans do not have that (which I so badly envy - working in a low wage job getting stiffed countless times, even for near 2-month stretches at a time catering to overseas visitors really, really sucked). They take their culture with them, but want (not expect, want) gratuities to be given since it's standard procedure in the States, taking our culture with us. 

I avoid "all-inclusive" travel tours and vacation resorts because it really isn't. Those who slip under the table dough to workers are the ones having the best time.

[newdad]

5 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

One small eatery owner in Lisbon not accepting tips does not make for all European ideology. 

And yet your statement "And it's Asia where tips can be seen as offensive, not Europe" was fine to use as if it was an accurate ideology? Do you see the error in that statement?

Also, I was just in the Asia two months ago (see my post history), and I concur with @BSR's comment above. It's mainly Japan that's against tip, while the poor third-world Asian countries (eg, Philippines) would love to have tips. In fact, when I was in the Philippines, no one turned down the tips I gave—not even any small "eatery" (and I always pursue eating at these small hole-in-the wall restaurants because I've found them to be the most authentic).

Edited March 27 by newdad

[newdad]

6 hours ago, azdr0710 said:

were "you" (?) trying to tip the owner....or an employee?.......if the owner, I might be a bit perturbed, too........

It's both. There are far many restaurants in other countries that do not operate as chains or franchises like we see in the USA; hence, a restaurant is usually owned by a family. So if you tip the waiter, you're basically tipping a family member or a friend of the family working as the waiter. I guess, what our friend above calls "eatery" is better described as like family-owned restaurants. Nonetheless, family-owned restaurants in the US will never turn down tips.

Nonetheless, I do see your point. Had it had been a chain/franchise brand restaurant (especially global American brand), it would be a totally different story. However, the point was not about big vs small brand, bur rather a point against the claim that Europe welcomes tips. As they say, when in Rome....

Edited March 27 by newdad

[newdad]

5 hours ago, BSR said:

The key, of course, is "can be."  In Japan, yes (so I've read), but tips are most welcome in the Philippines.  There is no set percentage.  Plenty of Filipinos don't tips at all, some tip just a 100 pesos (less than $2) on a huge check, some tip 10% or more.

When an aunt visited Baguio, she played at my uncle's tennis club.  She loved playing in the Philippines because you could hire a "pulut-boy" (ballboy) who would chase down all the balls & feed them to you (just like the pro tour!) for just 50 pesos for the whole match (this was a while back, so adjust for inflation).  She always gave 100 pesos (easy when you have Yankee dollars), and sometimes the pulut-boy would literally break down & cry tears of joy.

Mind you, I can't promise that your pinoy ("Filipino" in Filipino) escort/masseur will cry tears of joy if you tip him, but safe to say that tips are greatly appreciated.

I concur with your comment. I visited both countries you mentioned two months ago. In the Philippines, no one turned down my tips and they were very appreciative—even at "eateries" (which our friend above calls them); I believe these places in the Philippines are called Carinderias.

When I was in Japan, it was a different story. My tips were turned down.

[+ Italiano]

16 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

Tips for any human being doing a job is appreciated.

And it's Asia where tips can be seen as offensive, not Europe.

Actually in Italy it is generally not appreciated (perhaps "offensive" is a bit too much) for the owner of a business to be tipped, for example a Hair Salon even if he/she cuts your hair.

[newdad]

4 minutes ago, Italiano said:

Actually in Italy it is generally not appreciated (perhaps "offensive" is a bit too much) for the owner of a business to be tipped, for example a Hair Salon even if he/she cuts your hair.

Your username wins. We can't get any European than you.

[Becket]

In all sorts of transactions I enjoy giving large tips for exceptional service (which is so rare these days). Guess I'd be offending folks around the globe on my next world wide trip. 🤗

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

18 hours ago, newdad said:

And yet your statement "And it's Asia where tips can be seen as offensive, not Europe" was fine to use as if it was an accurate ideology? Do you see the error in that statement?

Also, I was just in the Asia two months ago (see my post history), and I concur with @BSR's comment above. It's mainly Japan that's against tip, while the poor third-world Asian countries (eg, Philippines) would love to have tips. In fact, when I was in the Philippines, no one turned down the tips I gave—not even any small "eatery" (and I always pursue eating at these small hole-in-the wall restaurants because I've found them to be the most authentic).

Read with comprehension of how I phrased it.  BSR did, you can too. 

I said 'can be.'  I made no definitive statement. 

 

[+ APPLE1]

I've never been to Japan or the Philippines. However, I have a friend who is Indonesian. I was given strict instructions not to tip on my way to her house. After arriving, I assume for negatiations and tipping faux pas, I wasn't allowed to buy things from locals. Both in Java and Borneo, I gave money to her, or her driver, and they gave money to locals.

I have an Aunt who is Oriental, and when I was was with her in Hong Kong, and mainland China, she did not allow me to tip for anything either. She  "tipped" only twice in Hong Kong, and never on the mainland. Once, so we could sit in AC inside a bus, and to MY rickshaw driver. I assume I likely weigh close to twice that of the average resident there.

In very rural areas of both Borneo and China, some people had never seen a Caucasian person. Some people there, especially children, wanted to give me things so they could touch me. I found it weird - I'd obviously never make it as a successful provider!

Edited March 28 by APPLE1
Spelling

[newdad]

3 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

Read with comprehension of how I phrased it.  BSR did, you can too. 

I said 'can be.'  I made no definitive statement. 

 

We've read enough. The overall context of all of your posts in this thread paints a good picture of your view. Your definition of a "small eatery" says a lot. Have a good day mate.

[newdad]

24 minutes ago, APPLE1 said:

I've never been to Japan or the Philippines. However, I have a friend who is Indonesian. I was given strict instructions not to tip on my way to her house. After arriving, I assume for negatiations and tipping faux pas, I wasn't allowed to buy things from locals. Both in Java and Borneo, I gave money to her, or her driver, and they gave money to locals.

I have an Aunt who is Oriental, and when I was was with her in Hong Kong, and mainland China, she did not allow me to tip for anything either. She  "tipped" only twice in Hong Kong, and never on the mainland. Once, so we could sit in AC inside a bus, and to MY rickshaw driver. I assume I likely weigh close to twice that of the average resident there.

In very rural areas of both Borneo and China, some people had never seen a Caucasian person. Some people there, especially children, wanted to give me things so they could touch me. I found it weird - I'd obviously never make it as a successful provider!

Thanks for sharing. Never been to indonesia, something to keep in mind for sure.

[marylander1940]

On 3/26/2024 at 2:34 PM, Jamie21 said:

Tipping is definitely welcome in London. Particularly in the area of my studio. Inside it in fact. In my hand. 😉

Your hand?

[pubic_assistance]

On 3/26/2024 at 1:29 PM, BenjaminNicholas said:

And it's Asia where tips can be seen as offensive, not Europe.

I don't agree.

I stayed at a small hotel in Barcelona where the doors were closed at midnight. If you were out late (as most people are) you were supposed to ring thr bell and the attendant would come unlock the door for you.

Knowing I had likely woken up the young fellow I said thanks and tipped him.

He threw is back at me.

I've had other instances where desk clerks or service people outside of the restaurant industry look at me like I'm crazy when I tip for small accommodations that to me go beyond the standard of their job title.

[Jamie21]

1 hour ago, marylander1940 said:

Your hand?

You can slip it in anywhere, I’m not fussy……….Same applies to the tip 😂

[KeepItReal]

54 minutes ago, pubic_assistance said:

I don't agree.

I stayed at a small hotel in Barcelona where the doors were closed at midnight. If you were out late (as most people are) you were supposed to ring thr bell and the attendant would come unlock the door for you.

Knowing I had likely woken up the young fellow I said thanks and tipped him.

He threw is back at me.

I've had other instances where desk clerks or service people outside of the restaurant industry look at me like I'm crazy when I tip for small accommodations that to me go beyond the standard of their job title.

If you offer politely, they can accept/reject politely.  A polite decline has happened to me, no one has ever thrown a bill back at me. But there are douchebags everywhere so there is that. See chart below as of 2023.