Question About Tipping

[creamcitys]

I've been trying to figure out what is proper for tipping for services in Spain without any success. What is expected for restaurants or getting transfers to locations?

 

[J Willhaus]

Tipping is not expected, but appreciated.

 

[creamcitys]

Tipping is not expected, but appreciated.

Thanks

 

[J Willhaus]

I usually just round up for good service. If a meal was 14.25, I would wave off the change and just say 15 is enough.

 

[creamcitys]

I usually just round up for good service. If a meal was 14.25, I would wave off the change and just say 15 is enough.

Thanks, I appreciate your feedback, I don't want to offend anyone while we are there, this helps.

 

[J Willhaus]

Thanks, I appreciate your feedback, I don't want to offend anyone while we are there, this helps.

That's a great attitude for visiting in the country of another.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I've been trying to figure out what is proper for tipping for services in Spain without any success. What is expected for restaurants or getting transfers to locations?

We have had a couple of threads about tipping on the Camino with a variety of interesting replies. A moderator can provide you with one or more links.

 

[JabbaPapa]

General protocol in Western Europe is that you tip those who deserve it, and not just for normal service ; if you become aware that the situation in a particular country is that tipping is a significant enough % of their income, then you tip ; also, if you have more income than most others, then you tip ; conversely, if you're impoverished, you rarely need to, but other points still apply regardless ; if you like the person, then you tip.

Mostly peculiar to Europe is the fact that it is quite acceptable to deliberately insult someone by tipping them inappropriately, various methods, though the most frequent is to leave some derisory amount of single-digit centimes, and direct a compliment to the person they are intended for (not necessarily your waiter -- it could be "compliments to the chef" or something ; though there's other methods, such as giving a tip larger than the meal price to some poor waiter unhappy to be working at such a trashy place). -- I'm sure similar exists in the US, but the norm over the pond that waiters should be tipped systematically does water it down somewhat.

I must admit that establishments that provide your change with smaller denomination coins in order to try and induce maximum tipping, induce me to leave zilch.

 

[peregrina2000]

This thread about tipping is recent and was eventually closed. I think it has all the information you need. It may seem simple but it is actually a complicated issue which we never seem to be able to discuss without getting angry, or at least snarky. Bringing your customs with you into Spain may have unintended consequences, but that’s up to each individual.

 

[JabbaPapa]

I usually just round up for good service. If a meal was 14.25, I would wave off the change and just say 15 is enough.

Not bad practice, but need to be careful though -- if you're paying with a card, it's not infrequent that the extra will be extra for the owner, not the waiter.

 

[J Willhaus]

As a child growing part of the time in Europe and later living there for a while as an adult, we always paid the waiter directly and in cash for any meal or drink service. Usually he or she had a big leather folding wallet with bills and change. You don't leave the tip on the table, but make sure it gets into the waiter's hands if you intend to leave a tip. Also in Europe they are less likely to just bring your bill to the table and generally you must ask for it. I remembered being mildly chastised by a waiter when I asked to pay for a coffee when it arrived and had to explain that I had a train connection and did not want to miss it!

We seldom pay with a card in Spain, but Covid may have changed all that in 2 years.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Normally I would leave the loose change from a drink on the bar or table but have had staff come after me thinking I'd forgotten my change.
Tipping in Europe is not the same thing as it is in the US. In restaurants you'll usually see "servicio incluido" on the bill - service included - and staff will be genuinely surprised or pleased if you recognise service above and beyond.
Of course sometimes the staff tip you!
When I worked in the Pilgrim office and was on the early shift I would stop off at the Confiteria San Roque for breakfast: grand cafe con leche, zumo de naranja and croissant. By my third visit a second plate came up, first time it was a biscuit, then another pastry and so on. They could tell I was working in SdC because of the blue Voluntario teeshirt.
At the end of the two weeks I told them it was my last day and I was heading back to the UK and they wouldn't give me the bill! I waited until the two ladies were busy and slipped back to the table and wedged a €5 note under the saucer.
I suppose they see a lot of Pilgrims once and appreciate return custom.

Have a great Camino.

 

[naplesdon]

Round up to a fair price for the service you received. After all who want's to walk around with a pocket full of coins on the Camino.

 

[J Willhaus]

Off topic, but back before the Euro, my father wore out his pockets carrying coins. Every country had a different currency and he eventually had to adopt a common European custom of carrying a leather man bag/purse to keep currency separate as he traveled between Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands often for work.

 

[wayfarer]

I've been trying to figure out what is proper for tipping for services in Spain without any success. What is expected for restaurants or getting transfers to locations?

As there is no point in re hashing old arguments on this thread I will close it.
To the OP: Use the search function at the top of the page or check the links provided above to see other discussions on this topic. You probably won't be any wiser at the end of that so my two cents worth is to tip if the service is good and you feel like it or not, your choice.