I know that the world of tipping has been changing in Europe. We are only going to the island of Paros and Athens. We'll probably be in restaurants catering to tourists. (I doubt that there are all that many locals dining in the Greek Islands.) How much do we tip? For example, if the bill is 58 E, do we round up to 60E, or do we tip 5 E, or do we figure 10%?
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
Tip a couple of euro at most. Greeks usually just leave any coins that come back from paying the bill.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
When we were in Greece a couple of years ago, we asked locals about customary tips and most of them said 10%, if the service was OK.
Posted by
Philadelphia
655 posts
We followed the same approach as Paul, above. We were treated very nicely.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8166 posts
It is always a dilemma, while traditionally a few coins is all that is required, heavily touristed areas, and especially if you are American, a heftier tip is almost expected.
I look at the bill, if there is a service charge, a charge for bread, and a premium price for a bottle of water, I usually only leave a few coins. If the bill is stripped of those items, the food and wine good, the server friendly, and the bill reasonable...I add a little more, but rarely above 10%.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12315 posts
If you could tip several billion Euros it would be much appreciated. :)
Seriously though, rounding up the bill to the nearest five or ten is generally plenty.
It's true, there is a seperate expectation in touristy places of larger tips from Americans. I see no reason to live up to that expectation unless I'm overwhelmed with the quality of service.
As always, if you get crummy service, you are not obligated to leave a tip. Also look carefully to see if a service charge is already included in your bill - in which case tipping extra (unless the service was overwhelming) just makes you look like a tourist.
Posted by
Florida
186 posts
A service charge or "cover charge" is sometimes included in your bill. Often, you will be charged for bread or olives and bread that you may or may not have asked for. I don't know if the Greeks expect you to know that there is a charge for that or not.
Most waitstaff people will leave you alone in Greece, waiting for you to motion to them for service when you need it. So, be aware of that. They aren't intentionally giving bad service.
Heavily touristed areas do seem to expect more from Americans, but don't be concerned with that. 10% is a fair tip, if no additional charges have been added. Don't be afraid to ask about charges on your bill. Most will explain the detail cheerfully.
And.. do watch out for the pickpockets in Athens. Especially around the area skirting the Plaka. They are everywhere and the locals hate them. I'm not sure why they're not as prevalent in the Plaka itself. It may be for self preservation. :-)
Posted by
OP
Austin
203 posts
We returned from Greece on Monday. I still do not know what the correct answer is to "tipping in Greece." I think that rounding up to the nearest 5 or 10 E is the best. The custom seems to be anything from nothing to 10%. If it were my husband and myself, we would probably round up or tip 10%, depending on the service. A good server can make or break the dining experience, and I would rather err on the side of generosity.