The Ultimate Guide to Using Your Smartwatch for Tipping Restaurant Staff
Do you Tip in Portugal? The Ultimate Guide to Tipping in Restaurants, Bars, Taxis and More
Tipping Etiquette: Avoiding Small Coins When Tipping and Can You Tip with US Dollars in Portugal?
Why Small Coins are Often Avoided When Tipping
In Portugal, small coins such as 1, 2, and 5 cents are not commonly used. They are often seen as an inconvenience because they take up space and add weight to one's wallet or purse. As a result, many people tend to round up the bill when tipping instead of using small coins.
Alternatives to Using Small Coins When Giving Tips
When giving tips in Portugal, it is common practice to round up the bill to the nearest whole number. For example, if your bill comes out to 18.50 at a restaurant, you can round it up to 19 or even 20 as a little extra for good service. Another alternative is to give larger bills instead of using small coins. This is especially useful if you don't have any small change on hand.
Can You Tip with US Dollars in Portugal?
Absolutely not. This is rude and arrogant. It is best to use euros when giving tips in Portugal since it is the country's official currency.
FAQs
Q: Do I need to tip taxi drivers in Portugal?
A: While it's not mandatory, rounding up your fare can be considered polite.
Q: Can I use US dollars for tips in Portugal?
A: It's best to use Euros when paying for anything while visiting Portugal including tips.
Q: Is it expected to tip tour guides in Portugal?
A: Yes! It would be nice to tip tour guides around 10% or 20 for a free tour per person depending on the length and type of tour.
Q: How much should I tip at a restaurant in Portugal?
A: Tipping 5% - 10% of the total bill is customary in restaurants, bars, and cafes.
Q: Should I tip hotel staff in Portugal?
A: While it's not mandatory to tip hotel staff, leaving a small amount for housekeeping or room service is appreciated.
Conclusion: Do you Tip in Portugal?
If you're planning a trip to Portugal, you may be wondering whether or not it's customary to tip.
Play it safe with 10% and youll be fine.
The person may not accept it because tipping in Portugal is not as common as it is in other countries, and there are specific situations where tipping is expected.
Understanding the cultural significance of tipping in Portugal is crucial. In restaurants, bars, and cafes, it's customary to leave a small amount of change if the service was good. However, tipping taxi drivers and hotel staff isn't mandatory.
When deciding whether or not to tip in Portugal, keep in mind that it's always appreciated but never expected. If you choose to tip, knowing who to tip and how much can be helpful. For example, restaurant staff should receive 5% - 10% of the total bill as a tip.
In terms of ride-hailing services and public transportation, tips aren't necessary unless someone goes above and beyond their duties.
To avoid small coins when tipping in Portugal, round up your bill instead of leaving coins on the table. Also note that US dollars aren't widely accepted for tips.
Overall, when it comes to tipping in Portugal: use your discretion! If you feel like someone deserves a little extra for going above and beyond their duties then go ahead!
Do You Tip In Switzerland? The Ultimate Guide To Tipping
Last Updated on March 3, 2024 by Darla Uhl
Switzerland has a very profitable tourist industry employing some 175,000 people and generating CHF 44.7 billion in total revenue. According to the Schweizer Tourismus-Verband, from that total amount, CHF 16.6 billion can be traced from the revenue generated by foreign tourists in Switzerland1. Of all the tourism products, more than half come from accommodation, meals, and passenger transportation. In this article, we explore a tipping guide in Switzerland. Is tipping in Switzerland expected? Who should you tip in Switzerland? If yes, how much should I tip in Switzerland?
When you are in Switzerland, what you see in the bill is the total amount that you pay. Restaurant checks and hotel bills include already all the taxes. So once you receive a bill, you can pay the total amount directly. And it is not always necessary to tip. But it is appreciated.
Employees in the hotel and restaurant industries earn decently, but the legal minimum wage is not guaranteed. Only some cantons have a legal minimum wage designed to protect employees. In 2 Cantons, Neuchatel and Jura, the residents have decided to introduce a minimum wage of 20 CHF per hour (see Reference). So factor in the high cost of living, and the likelihood of low wages, if you have received service that is good or excellent, I would recommend leaving a tip.
Do people tip in Switzerland? Tipping in Switzerland is not expected but it is very much appreciated. Tips are normally given in Swiss francs. People give gratuities, typically around 10% of the total amount and quality of the service paid for. If you have received service that is good or excellent,I would recommend leaving a tip.
Almost all Swiss people I know or residents in Switzerland leave a certain amount in restaurants. I also round up whenever I dine out.
Tipping in Swiss Restaurants
The Restaurant industry employs some 261,000 employees as of 2018 spread across more than 28,000 hotel and restaurant establishments.1 Of this number, more than two-thirds are standalone restaurants, and the other third covers restaurants inside hotels.
Restaurants in Switzerland provide good food and service. Since all restaurants are obliged by law to display their menu and prices outside, you can decide before entering if you are comfortable with the prices. Excellent restaurants can cost easily 200 CHF per person if you include the full meal (appetizer, main course, dessert) and wine.
The price you see in front of the restaurant or on the menu is already the price you have to pay. The staff waiting for you will be polite and serve you properly whether you will leave a tip for him or not.
Nevertheless, most people round up to 10% of the total amount, especially if they received excellent service. Considering that many workers in the hospitality sector earn modest wages and factoring in the high cost of living in Switzerland, I would suggest offering a little extra as recognition of their hard work.
For example, if the meal costs 63 CHF, most customers will round it up to 70 CHF (around 10%). Or if it costs CHF 91 and you give a CHF 100 bill, you can let the waiter keep the change. Most servers come with a big black leather wallet full of change. After they give you the bill, you can immediately give the amount that you want to pay. They will be very thankful before giving you your change. Again, it is not expected, but very much appreciated. Especially when services are right or you are impressed by the service provider, you can tip a little extra.
For those who want to save money, check out the restaurants daily menu (Tagesmenu in German, menu de jour in French). This is served during lunchtime from noon until 2 pm and normally commands a reasonable price. They also have a variety of house wines (Offener Wein in German, vin ouvert in French). Restaurants also typically half portions (or three-fourths of an adult portion) for children, if not have a separate childrens menu. Childrens portions also command a lower price and sometimes come with free ice cream.
Tipping in Swiss Bars and Cafs
Bars are open from morning to midnight and offer some food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). Cafs, on the other hand, do not sell alcoholic drinks.
In Swiss bars, normally you dont pay as you are served drinks. The bill comes at the end of the evening including all the drinks ordered throughout the evening. From the total bill, you can do the same practice as mentioned for restaurants. People give gratuities, typically around 10% of the total amount, especially for the bartenders and staff who always promptly bring you a beer.
If you have coins and there is a tip jar, you can leave a couple of coins as a tip in the tip jar by the cash register.
If you are still inclined towards tipping or want to pay a particular server, pay him or her in cash directly, as tips through the credit card or a shared tipping jar will likely be distributed to everyone equally.
Tipping Taxis Drivers in Switzerland
Taxis in Switzerland are incredibly expensive one of the most expensive in the world. It might be worthwhile to check the rates beforehand to see how much it would cost. Taking public transport (trains and trams) will cost you much less.
Nonetheless, if you want to take a taxi, you will expect to pay for each kilometer. Not only will you pay for each kilometer. If you order a taxi and let the taxi driver wait, also expect to pay for his or her waiting time. So please be on time or never complain if you have a hefty bill because you were late.
The final bill typically has the following components as an example:
- Basic Fee per ride: CHF 6.-
- Mileage Fee per kilometer: CHF 5.-
- Waiting time per minute: CHF 1.30-
- Additional cost per booster seat (optional): CHF 20
Whether the fare amount already includes the tip or not depends on the taxi company or taxi driver. It is assumed to be included in the service charge. However, some companies specify on their websites that the total taxi ride cost does not include a tip.
Drivers may still hope to receive a tip. You may round up to the nearest Franc, 5, or 10 Swiss Francs as a courtesy for good service. This will be appreciated by the taxi drivers. Please remember that the cost of living and diesel prices are higher in Switzerland compared to the rest of the world, so taxi drivers do have higher upfront costs to contend with.
Sometimes, it might be more cost-effective to organize a taxi in advance and get a discount. At the air shuttle, you can give CHF 1 per bag if they help you with your luggage.
Tipping the Valet, Doorman, or Chambermaid in Switzerland
A doorkeeper at your hotel can assist you with luggage or hailing transportation. The valet assists in parking the car. These employees are typically available in Grand Hotels to assist. It is not expected to tip them. But those who stay in luxury hotels are normally generous and used to tipping.
In this case, a CHF 5 coin or CHF 10 bill will be appreciated by the employees working in a luxury hotel, especially if they have provided exceptional service. For tipping porters and doormen in humbler lodgings, you can estimate CHF 2 per bag or minor service.
You can offer CHF 1 to 2 per night as a tip for a spotless stay with the housekeeping or cleaning lady. You can leave it in the room before leaving with a note. There is also a possibility to leave the tip with the concierge.
References:
Darla Uhl is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country.
Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.
Tipping in Barcelona: The Ultimate Guide (+ How Much)
This article may contain affiliate links. Please read our
Disclosure Policyfor more information.
Youve just landed in Spain and you head to a tapas bar around the corner from your hotel. Just as youre finishing up some amazing food, it hits you: is tipping expected in Barcelona?
The answer isnt actually as straightforward as you might think. While the vast majority of locals will almost never tip, there are a few situations where leaving some appreciation for the service is seen as more normal.
However, a super important travel tip for Barcelona is to also make sure youre not over-tipping! Thats why, in this article, Ill take you through everything there is to know about tipping in Barcelona, as well as how much you should leave to strike that balance between acknowledging great serviceand, well, not being a typical tourist.
Is tipping expected in Barcelona?
Tipping really isnt expected in Spain and Barcelona is no different. In fact, tourists are typically the only ones who tip in Barcelona, with the exception that in certain restaurants, locals may round up the bill to the nearest multiple of 5 or 10 or simply leave a few coins behind on the table.
Of course, for those tourists who choose to do this, tipping is always appreciated, but its certainly not quite as expected as it might be in other parts of the world.
That is, a modest tip of around 5-10% is more than enough if you feel like showing your gratitude for exceptional service but, again, its definitely not expected. And this also means that one big thing to avoid in Barcelona is giving the 15-20% (or more!) tips you may be used to at home, especially for those tourists who come from North America.
Is it rude to not tip in Spain?
In Spain, including in Barcelona, its not rude to not tip as tipping simply isnt part of the local culture. While youre free to show your appreciation for service by leaving a small amount, know that, in most cases, locals wont tip and thus the service provider wont expect it.
Even in places like high end restaurants, no waiter will consider you rude for not tipping. Theyll certainly appreciate it if you choose to do so, but there definitely wont be any scenes of them chasing you down the street for seeming cheap if you only pay the amount on the bill.
Tipping in Restaurants, Cafes and Bars
When dining out at a restaurant in Barcelona, its important to understand the tipping etiquette. While tipping isnt mandatory in Spain, its still appreciated if you wish to do so and if you receive good service.
How much do I tip in Spanish restaurants?
You dont need to tip in Spanish restaurants, as most locals wont do so. That said, you may wish to round up the bill to the nearest multiple of 5 or 10 or leave several coins totalling a few euros in the middle of the table when you leave.
As mentioned before, tipping in Barcelona (or Spain more generally) isnt really a thing. For those locals who do and they still wouldnt tip everywhere they generally follow the approach just outlined.
In rare cases, certain restaurants already include a service charge in your bill. If this happens to you, you definitely dont need to tip.
Basically, if youre unsure about how much to tip and wish to do so, you can simply round up your bill. Just keep in mind when you do this that tipping in Spain isnt as common as it is in other countries, so dont feel obligated to leave a large tip.
Do you tip at tapas bars in Barcelona?
When it comes to tapas bars in Barcelona, tipping is not mandatory. However, if you receive excellent service, you can leave a small tip to show your appreciation. A tip of 1-2 euros per person is a good amount to leave as coins on the table.
If youre ordering at the bar, its not necessary to tip. However, if youre sitting at a table and a waiter is attending to your needs, then its more common to leave a small tip like the one just outlined.
Do you tip at cafes in Barcelona?
In general, tipping at cafes in Barcelona is not expected. However, if you receive exceptional service, you can leave a small tip to show your appreciation. You can leave a few coins or round up your bill to the nearest euro.
Its important to note that tipping is not as common in cafes as it is in restaurants. If youre not sure whether to tip or not, its always best to follow the lead of the locals.
Overall, tipping in Barcelona truly isnt mandatory, with people often joking that its only the tourists fueling this practice. At the same time, its always appreciated if you receive good service. Just dont feel obligated to leave a large tip, as a small amount can go a long way in showing your appreciation.
Tipping in Hotels
When youre staying at a hotel in Barcelona, its important to know the tipping etiquette. Here are some things to consider when it comes to tipping hotel staff:
Do you tip hotel staff in Barcelona?
Tipping hotel staff in Barcelona isnt necessary, with most locals not doing it. This includes that theres no need to tip bellboys in Spain, even if they carry your luggage up to your room. Of course, feel free to give them a euro in appreciation, but its not mandatory.
How much do you tip room service in Barcelona?
Theres no obligation to tip room service in Barcelona, although its widely recognised that many tourists in particular like to do this. If you would like to tip them, a one or two euro coin is more than enough and certainly not expected.
Its important to note that some higher end hotels may already include a service charge in the bill, so its always a good idea to check before tipping.
Do you tip housekeeping at Spanish hotels?
Tipping housekeeping at Spanish hotels is not mandatory or expected, but its a nice gesture to show your appreciation for their hard work. You can leave a few euros per day for the cleaning staff, or you can leave a larger tip at the end of your stay.
Like room service, some hotels may already include a service charge for housekeeping in the bill, so perhaps double check this point before leaving a tip.
In brief, tipping at hotels in Barcelona is a personal choice. If you feel like tipping, because you feel that you have been very well looked after, then by all means tip, but generally tipping is not expected, and locals do not tip.
Tipping in Transportation
When traveling to Barcelona, you may wonder if its customary to tip transportation services. Heres what you need to know about tipping in taxis, hotel shuttles, and private cab drivers.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Barcelona?
Tipping taxi drivers in Barcelona is not expected, but you may wish to round up the fare to the nearest euro or leave a small amount as a courtesy. Just note that most locals wont tip taxi drivers in Barcelona so you dont have to either.
Do I tip a free airport shuttle in Spain?
If youre taking a free airport shuttle in Spain, you dont need to tip the driver. These shuttles are usually provided as a courtesy by hotels or other establishments, and the drivers are already compensated for their services.
Whats your perfect destination for your dream trip to Spain?
Want to discover a city or live your island dreams?
Embrace the food scene or step through the pages of history?
Whatever your travel style, discover the perfect Spanish city to add to your trip here!
Do you tip hotel shuttle drivers in Spain?
If youre using a hotel shuttle service in Spain, its not necessary to tip the driver. These services are usually included in your hotel rate, and the drivers are already paid for their services. Of course, youre free to offer a small tip as a token of appreciation but the vast majority of locals wont do so.
Tipping in Barcelona Tourist Attractions
When visiting tourist attractions in Barcelona, it is important to know when and how much to tip. Heres what you need to know about tipping in tourist attractions in Barcelona.
Do you tip tour guides in Barcelona?
Most Spaniards would only tip a few euros to a tour guide in Spain and so theres no reason for you, as a tourist, to tip more than that to tour guides in Barcelona. A 5 tip per person is more than enough and only if youve found the guide helpful, as its not required.
You do hear of tour guides who, dare I say it, take advantage of the fact that they know that certain other cultures are more generous tippers as theyll try to subtly encourage more tipping. Feel free to do so, but just know that when a friend of mine from the US told a Spanish friend that shed tipped a tour guide 15, he almost choked on this beer.
One big exception to this, of course, is if you do one of the best free things to do in Barcelona: a free walking tour. There are some really good ones in Barcelona, with the expectation being that youll tip at the end if you like the tour. Noting that many of these go for two hours or more, Id give 10 per person at the most.
Finally, its also important to note that, if youre part of a large group, the tip may already be included in the tour price so theres no need to double up.
Other Service Providers
When it comes to tipping in Barcelona, there are some specific cases that you might encounter during your visit. Here are some tips on how to handle them:
Do I tip delivery people in Spain?
If you order food or other items for delivery in Barcelona, its not necessary to tip the delivery person. However, if you receive exceptional service or the delivery person goes out of their way to accommodate you, you can give a small tip of 1-2 euros.
Tipping hairdressers, masseurs, barbers and other services in Spain
Tipping in hair salons, spas, and other service providers is not common in Spain. However, if youre satisfied with the service provided, you may wish to round up the bill to the nearest euro. Locals generally wont do this though, so dont feel obliged to do so.
For example, if your haircut costs 27 euros, you can round up to 30 euros. That said, if you are getting a service like this done in a hotel, there may be a service charge included in the bill. In this case, tipping is not necessary.
In brief, while tipping isnt mandatory in Barcelona, its always appreciated for exceptional service. Use your judgment, dont feel under any obligation to do so and if you would still like to tip, give an amount thats very likely to be less than youre used to paying at home (depending on where you come from). In general, rounding up the bill slightly is usually your best approach.
