We leave soon for our trip to Switzerland and while we have been warned that it's very expensive, I heard tipping in restaurants, etc., is not customary. Can someone confirm if that is true as we want to make sure we do the right thing. Thanks so much.
Posted by
Bend, OR
2003 posts
Yes, it’s expensive. We usually round up or leave a few coins (Swiss francs).
Posted by
75 posts
Yes, very expensive. The store Coop has good food deals if you want something decent to eat but are on a budget and are in a hurry to get to the next place. No, you do not need to tip.
Posted by
Switzerland
438 posts
We also tend to round up or leave a few coins—“Trinkgeld,” which literally means “drink money.” It’s basically a way of saying thanks, like “here’s something for a coffee.”
In my mind, it’s not about calculating a percentage of the bill, but just a small, simple gesture to show appreciation for the service. I cannot think of a time when we did't do this, for me it would almost seem rude not to.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
11821 posts
In the popular Berner Oberland we observed Americans being solicited for tips at three restaurants, one in Wengen, two in Murren. We speak French and didn’t get strong armed. So no, no tip required, only if you want to, and don’t pay attention if you’re solicited.