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Thanks, Marion! I definitely would want to err on the side of tipping too much (the vast majority of my int'l travel being in 3rd world countries) but it's good to have a good handle on what's usual/expected!Tipping is not required in Spain (neither is it in France, btw), unlike Northern-America. Service is included in your note.
Opposed to an obligation, it's more like a donation that comes from the heart: people tip if they had positive experience, related to the bar/waiter/food/service/...
Just a thought we shared on the Camino with other pilgrims: tipping the same way one does at home is not necessarily helping the locals, even less Spain economy. Although it may be benevolent, it can do more wrong than good.
Giving a big tip because one can may help people a bit, but in the long run, it certainly led to a big raise in the cost of life along the Camino. Ie: a pilgrim menu was ~6€ all included in 2010, it's now often 12€ without wine. The prices one sees on the Frances are not common prices in Spain, they are a lot more expensive, even if one finds it cheap. It's truly an economic "anomaly" in the country that is without any doubt the consequence of "tourism" (not said in an offensive way, just calling a spade a spade: the Way is a tourist site in Spain!).
If you decide to tip, there is no clear rule.
If you're not sure, I'd first advise to ask yourself: "Knowing it's not required and that people are paid for the service I asked for, do I feel like I got more than just that service and, do I feel like showing it through a tip?" Long question, but it's kind of the idea of tipping in Spain/France(/rest of Europe?).
Then, it's a matter of balance... I wonder if too small (-10 cents) is really worth it (or respectful), while too much can be taken as charity. Tough deal!
Here are some ideas, some already mentioned above:
- round it up to the next -5 or -0
- leave "brown" coins (without emptying your pockets!)
- 10 to 50 cents if common and ok; from 51 ( ) to 1€ if nice; from 1 to 2€ is very nice; from 2€ to 5€ it becomes significant; above 5€ you sure won't go unnoticed!
- a big table doesn't mean the tip has to be bigger too
- careful with tipping -% of your note: it obviously won't be the same if you had a coffee or a gourmet menu but it may be too much in the end
- tipping in bars and restaurant is pretty common, less in accommodations
- I'm not a big user of above-albergue accommodations, but it seems it's more usual to leave a tip to the side-service like bar/restaurant/room-service/...
Good luck and happy tips, everyone!
It's much appreciated.I have heard different opinions on tipping in restaurants, taxis etc. in Spain. Does anyone know if tipping is required or expected and the percentage?
"Así está bien" is "it's fine like that." Probably the most common way to say it. "Es propina" is "it's a tip," in case you need to explain further.Just out of curiosity: what are brown coins? 1, 2 and 5 eurocents, or everything under 1 EUR?
And would you actually leave 10 cents or would you say that you don't want to have them as change, ie the sum should be rounded up, and if yes, how would you say that in Spanish?
It has changed then. I was told not to tip by a Spainish women & bartender in Pamplona. They told me it could be taken wrong by some.
I never did my entire 6 weeks. In the places I returned they never gave me the stink eye in any case... Hopefully a Spanish citizen can confirm the current response.
You will rarely (not sure I have ever) see(n) bills with calculations showing what a 10%, 15% or 20% tip equates to (contrast with US).
Opposed to an obligation, it's more like a donation that comes from the heart
how would you say that in Spanish?
Giving a big tip because one can may help people a bit, but in the long run, it certainly led to a big raise in the cost of life along the Camino. Ie: a pilgrim menu was ~6€ all included in 2010, it's now often 12€ without wine.