Every year, more and more people choose to travel to Paris, France. This is an easy choice to make. The area is pretty, the people are friendly and the food is great! However, is Paris like all the other places in the world? Are you suppose to leave a tip whenever you pay your a check? Well, yes and no. Today we are going to talk about tipping in Paris
Unlike places in the United States and other areas of the world, tips for restaurants are actually figured right into your check. The percentage that is put right into your check is 15 percent of your meal.
Having your tip figured in is not a choice, it’s a law! The French law requires that all tips be figured into the check for taxation purposes. In fact, you will be able to see the 15 percent charged itemized very clearly on your check. This normally goes on top of the VAT tax, which is kind of like a French sales tax. Normally, besides this you will see the words, “service compris,” which stands for tip included.
Of course, you do not have to figure all of it up. To make it easy on you, French restaurants include all of these percentages right into the menu so you know how much you will be paying up front. There are no hidden charges or anything like that.
So, should you leave a tip for the person that was waiting on you. Well the truth is, you do not have to. However, it is a nice way of saying thank you. The tips that are added into the check are divided between everyone at the end of the night. The tip that you leave on the table is just for the waiter. So really, it’s your call, but if you want to say thank you, leave a 5 to 10 percent tip on the table anyway.