If you are planning a European trip this summer (and who isn't?), be aware: Waiters and waitresses are trying to get bigger tips out of you!
"Several restaurants in Berlin, one of Europe's most-visited capitals, have begun issuing illicit bills to tourists with a message in English nudging them to pay more than is due. Bills marked with the message "Service not included" or "Tip not included" are handed out..." read more at "The Local", German news in English.
The fury is that a service charge is added onto your bill already; by law taxes and service are included in the price listed on the menu. But there is no guarantee that the service charge is paid out to the server by management and full-time server salaries are about 1000 euros per month before tips. So now the little games begin, how to tickle more money out of tourist pockets? While the above sentence is not illegal, it's certainly not friendly and very misleading.
Germans usually tip, or add "Trinkgeld" by rounding to the nearest euro for a snack or beer. For a full meal, a 10% gratuity has become common. If you order in English and receive this statement on your bill, or if the waitress mentions it, feel free to continue to follow German customs and don't feel pressured into 15 or 20%. Then again, servers are about the lowest paid workers in Germany, so if you feel like it they will undoubtedly be happy with a bigger tip.
Interesting side note: Did you know that there is no minimum wage in Germany?
Comments
JENN, WHEN I WAS LAST IN COPENHAGEN, THE US DOLLAR WAS WORTH 12 K, THE HOURLY WAGE FOR SERVICE. BACK TO YOUR GERMAN BROTCHEN RECIPE,IT TAKES TOO LONG TO PREP FOR THIS SENIOR BACHELOR. I BOUGHT A WELBILT BREAD MACHINE BUT HAVE NEVER USED IT. I MOVED IT OUT TO MY COVERED BACK PORCH. MY IMPORTANT QUESTION TO YOU JENN, WHO MIGHT BE SELLING AND SHIPPING GERMAN BROTCHEN OUT?
IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND A GERMAN RESTAURANT WITH GERMAN COOKS AND MANAGEMENT IN GERMANY. IT’S ALL ABOUT THIRD CLASS, THIRD WORLD LABOR TODAY. YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE 50 YEARS AGO. L, ALLEN
You can order par-baked broetchen and German Butter from the website above. I have ordered these before, as well as some blutwurst and other sausages. Very good, they ship quickly as well. I did not pay near what I thought I would for shipping, I figured closer to 30 or 40 USD but it only cost about 15 to ship my complete order.
Sorry, I guess the address did not post. http://www.bavariasausageshop.com Like I said before, excellent food. Enjoy!!
Ok, one last try…in my history it shows up as bavariasausageshop.com….when I attempt to go there it does not work. So, the actual address is http://www.bavariasausage.com I tried it 5x to make sure it works, sorry about the other posts. Enjoy!!