Restaurant, craftsmen and Co.
How much tip do I actually give to whom?
© thanmano / Adobe Stock
How much do you tip after a nice evening in a restaurant? What does a delivery man get? And do I offer food and drink to craftsmen? Here are a few helpful tips for you.
In many industries, the tip was always part of the salary and was so good that it actually compensated for the low wages. Those times are now over. While Knigge said something about a ten percent tip back then, most people just round up to the full amount today. The increased ordering of food due to the corona pandemic has also meant that tips are sometimes even completely omitted. Aside from the current discussions that people have to be able to live on their salaries even without tips, they are still an appreciation for good service and good work today.
General tipping rules in Germany
The following applies: Tips are voluntary. They serve to give credit to someone else’s work. Conversely, this also means that if you didn’t like the service, then it’s absolutely fine to tip less or even not at all. In Germany there are – not surprisingly – even a few rules for this:
- In restaurants the service staff receive about ten percent of the total amount as a tip. Five percent is enough for several hundred euros.
- at delivery services The same rule applies as in the restaurant – a tip of around ten percent is appropriate.
- Taxi drivers also get 10 percent.
- The 10 percent rule also applies to hairdressers, beauticians and Co.
- On vacation, things get a little more complicated. Is someone carrying you suitcase to the room, then you should have one to two euros per piece of luggage with you. Of the room service receives two to five euros and cleaners one to two euros a day.
- In the theatre, in the opera or at a musical you should tip 50 cents for them Service staff: inside the cloakroom ready.
- On the plane, on the other hand, you are only a guest. Air hostesses and stewards Most airlines do not accept tips.
Since many things are paid for with EC or credit cards these days, some people only have a little cash in their wallets. In general, tips should be paid in cash.
Gratuities for Services
Especially during the Christmas season, many people want to say thank you, and sometimes there is a bar of chocolate, a few pralines or even a little money waiting at the door to give them mail or parcel carrier hand when he comes by again. As a general rule, no consideration should be expected for gifts, otherwise it is considered bribery. To protect employees, many companies have set upper limits on how much can be accepted. Should you ask your postman or parcel carrier or the Men and women from the city cleaning service If you want to give something as a gift, please ask the respective company first. That way you don’t embarrass anyone.
And what do you do when craftsmen have announced? First of all, the craftsmen must keep their shoes on depending on the task and repair, as these are mostly safety shoes and there are fixed rules for wearing them. Therefore, do not ask the craftsmen to undress them. Another point: Don’t stand by and watch what’s being done all the time. You should be available as a contact person and check on things from time to time, but not monitor them. A little small talk is always nice, but don’t overdo it, because the next appointment could be getting closer.
With the tip, things usually work a little differently here. Although it is certainly welcome if the final amount is rounded up a little, it is not usual. You are welcome to provide some water with glasses or coffee so that the craftsmen can help themselves. For long assignments that last all day, you can also offer to spend the break at home or in the garden – if you have one. Food may also be offered, but don’t take it personally if your offers are politely declined. This is always an individual decision of the craftsmen.
In general, in the area of services, it depends on what is done and for how long. For example you can removal helpers offer food and drink as well as a small tip for their efforts.
Sources used: ruv.de, br.de, praxistipp.focus.de, merkur.de