Special Topic - Tipping in different countries

The tipping practices vary widely across the globe. Below is the summary that hopefully helps to decide how much to give as a tip when having a meal at an eating place.


France
The bill is all-inclusive, i.e. it includes 15% service charge and VAT tax (sales tax). Therefore, the price you see on the menu will be what you are paying eventually. It is a requirement by law to include service charge, as tips are assessed for taxation purposes. The 15% service charge is usually tabulated at the end of the day and depending on the owner, some or all the amount will be split among all waitors.

There is no obligation to give any extra tip. Any extra tip is purely a gesture of appreciation to the waitor for excellent or added services (e.g. offering assistance to children requiring special attention, particularly helpful in language translation, clearing up spillage or broken glass). In such cases, a 5% further tip may be appropriate. Note that you should offer cash as tip so that this can go to the pocket of the waitor direct.


United Kingdom
For restaurants, it is customary to give 10-15% of the bill as a tip. You will find it common for the restaurants to include a service charge (typically 12.5%) to the bill, so make sure you do not tip twice. You can give another two pound to the server if the service is excellent. However, if you are not happy with service, you should request that to be removed and explain your unhappiness (It is better to bring to the attention of the manager straightaway if the service is bad, than to wait until the bill arrives).

For cafes, if your food or drink is being served to your table and you find the service pleasant, you may give a pound as appreciation.

For fast food and causual restaurants where you collect the food at the counter, no tipping is expected. At coffee chains (e.g. Starbucks), there may be a tip jar at the counter.

For takeaway, no tips is expected if you collect the food at the restaurant. However, if it is a delivery to your place, then it may be nice to give a pound or loose change as tip.