Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > Europe > Spain
Reload this Page >

Tipping in bars and cafes.

Tipping in bars and cafes.

Old Jul 15th 2011, 5:30 pm
  #16  
bil
Banned
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
bil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Tipping in bars and cafes.

Originally Posted by Domino
an old trick from repping - I used to use the same hotel everytime I stayed in Norwich, would go into the restaurant, pick up a menu, give the maitre d' a wave and get a drink in the bar. He would come to me in the bar, take dinner order, I bought him and chef a drink (always only a half was asked for ). When meal was ready, taken to good table and the food just flowed, no excessive waiting between courses getting bored. Dirty looks from other diners but thats their problem.

when dining out I occaisionally buy a drink for staff in Spain, not often but it has helped a guiri with a bad accent and little language skills to break the ice.
Clever boy! It's useful to know little tricks like that.

I usually tip 5% or leave the small stuff if all I've had is a couple of coffees, but 10% if it was a good meal.

Never really thought about it, but I do tend to get good service.

Another useful thing if you frequent any places a lot is to learn their names.
bil is offline  
Old Jul 15th 2011, 5:58 pm
  #17  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
fionamw's Avatar
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: near Colmenar, Prov de Malaga
Posts: 5,174
fionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Tipping in bars and cafes.

Originally Posted by bil
Clever boy! It's useful to know little tricks like that.

I usually tip 5% or leave the small stuff if all I've had is a couple of coffees, but 10% if it was a good meal.

Never really thought about it, but I do tend to get good service.

Another useful thing if you frequent any places a lot is to learn their names.


That's one of my OH's tricks. That and a VERY large tip if it's a place we're impressed with and want to get VERY good service next time! So far it's worked!
fionamw is offline  
Old Jul 15th 2011, 6:05 pm
  #18  
BE Enthusiast
 
busters mum's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2007
Location: Javea
Posts: 501
busters mum has a reputation beyond reputebusters mum has a reputation beyond reputebusters mum has a reputation beyond reputebusters mum has a reputation beyond reputebusters mum has a reputation beyond reputebusters mum has a reputation beyond reputebusters mum has a reputation beyond reputebusters mum has a reputation beyond reputebusters mum has a reputation beyond reputebusters mum has a reputation beyond reputebusters mum has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Tipping in bars and cafes.

Waitresses trick, if your bill is 4.95 and you give a tenner you get back 5 x 1 euro coins and 5 cents, then i have a better chance of getting more than 5 cents from some stingy old bugger !!
busters mum is offline  
Old Jul 15th 2011, 6:46 pm
  #19  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
fionamw's Avatar
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: near Colmenar, Prov de Malaga
Posts: 5,174
fionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Tipping in bars and cafes.

Originally Posted by busters mum
Waitresses trick, if your bill is 4.95 and you give a tenner you get back 5 x 1 euro coins and 5 cents, then i have a better chance of getting more than 5 cents from some stingy old bugger !!
(s.o.b. - different acronym, of course - being me, OH, et al!!!)
fionamw is offline  
Old Jul 15th 2011, 7:36 pm
  #20  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Velez-Malaga
Posts: 4,754
Lynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Tipping in bars and cafes.

We don't tip nearly as much now that we live here as we used to when we only came over for holidays, but haven't noticed that we get any worse service!

In a restaurant we will usually leave around 10%, occasionally more if the food and/or service has been exceptionally good. I usually tip taxi drivers around 10% too. In bars I go to often (not there are many of those!) I don't tip every time, just now and again, and if I've just popped into one for a coffee as a one-off, I don't tip at all. We have also done the thing of leaving the smallest possible coin if we've had a really bad meal or poor service - I think they get the message.

I don't tip my hairdresser here as she owns her own salon rather than being an employee.

We also give a small tip to delivery men who bring large and heavy items up the steep street to our house as they have to carry them a long way from their van - does anyone else do this?
Lynn R is offline  
Old Jul 15th 2011, 7:53 pm
  #21  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
fionamw's Avatar
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: near Colmenar, Prov de Malaga
Posts: 5,174
fionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond reputefionamw has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Tipping in bars and cafes.

Originally Posted by Lynn R
(SNIPS)
We also give a small tip to delivery men who bring large and heavy items up the steep street to our house as they have to carry them a long way from their van - does anyone else do this?
Yes - though it's a 1.5km off tarmac followed by several tens of metres of track etc etc .. but of course they've all (mostly) been there before because most of our stuff comes from the local ferreteria! Doesn't stop us making sure they have a few Cruzcampos when they get free time, though!
fionamw is offline  
Old Jul 15th 2011, 8:08 pm
  #22  
MODERATOR
 
Fred James's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,800
Fred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Tipping in bars and cafes.

For me - a few small coins in a bar. In a restaurant never more than 5% unless the service is extraordinary - which it rarely is - part of their job is putting the food on your table.

I have never understood why people tip a hairdresser - do you tip your doctor?

Why do you tip a taxi driver but not a bus driver?

Why pay a delivery person if you don't tip the postman (assuming you have one)?

There is no logic to tipping! Best avoided.
Fred James is offline  
Old Jul 15th 2011, 8:16 pm
  #23  
bil
Banned
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
bil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Tipping in bars and cafes.

I used to gets tips sometimes, but I suspect that most people thought 'It's his own business, he must be rich'.

I often think that not tipping in those circs is all to often an excuse for people to be mean. When someone did it to me, I always appreciated it as a sincere 'thank you'.
bil is offline  
Old Jul 15th 2011, 8:36 pm
  #24  
Forum Regular
 
Rostra's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 109
Rostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really nice
Default Re: Tipping in bars and cafes.

Originally Posted by Fred James
For me - a few small coins in a bar. In a restaurant never more than 5% unless the service is extraordinary - which it rarely is - part of their job is putting the food on your table.

I have never understood why people tip a hairdresser - do you tip your doctor?

My hairdresser makes me feel better, my Doctor usualy makes me feel worse!

Why do you tip a taxi driver but not a bus driver?
So he'll turn up on time and take the trouble to find the house next time I call him (this is a small place)

Why pay a delivery person if you don't tip the postman (assuming you have one)?

Deliver people carry heavy stuff into the house cos I'm a little old lady, my postman puts bills in my letterbox.

There is no logic to tipping! Best avoided.
My clients tip me when I save them money, but it's usually in liquid form.
Rostra is offline  
Old Jul 15th 2011, 8:44 pm
  #25  
MODERATOR
 
Fred James's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,800
Fred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond reputeFred James has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Tipping in bars and cafes.

Originally Posted by Rostra
My clients tip me when I save them money, but it's usually in liquid form.
The best - and I bet you don't declare it!
Fred James is offline  
Old Jul 15th 2011, 8:49 pm
  #26  
Forum Regular
 
Rostra's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 109
Rostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really niceRostra is just really nice
Default Re: Tipping in bars and cafes.

Originally Posted by Fred James
The best - and I bet you don't declare it!
It's never around at the end of the tax year!
Rostra is offline  
Old Jul 15th 2011, 10:18 pm
  #27  
bil
Banned
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
bil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond reputebil has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Tipping in bars and cafes.

Originally Posted by Rostra
It's never around at the end of the tax year!
You aren't a thief if you steal less than an MP.
bil is offline  
Old Jul 15th 2011, 11:51 pm
  #28  
On the road again.
 
Dick Dasterdly's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: On Top of the World
Posts: 17,507
Dick Dasterdly has a reputation beyond reputeDick Dasterdly has a reputation beyond reputeDick Dasterdly has a reputation beyond reputeDick Dasterdly has a reputation beyond reputeDick Dasterdly has a reputation beyond reputeDick Dasterdly has a reputation beyond reputeDick Dasterdly has a reputation beyond reputeDick Dasterdly has a reputation beyond reputeDick Dasterdly has a reputation beyond reputeDick Dasterdly has a reputation beyond reputeDick Dasterdly has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Tipping in bars and cafes.

Originally Posted by Fred James
For me - a few small coins in a bar. In a restaurant never more than 5% unless the service is extraordinary - which it rarely is - part of their job is putting the food on your table.

I have never understood why people tip a hairdresser - do you tip your doctor?

Why do you tip a taxi driver but not a bus driver?

Why pay a delivery person if you don't tip the postman (assuming you have one)?

There is no logic to tipping! Best avoided.
Tip in restaurant according to service plus both quality and value for money of food. If both are rubbish give em nowt.

A doctor may consider it unethical and he probably has more than enough money anyway.
A hairdresser is not so well paid and usually dealt with on a much more friendly chatty basis.

Its normal to have a whip round for bus drivers on excursions, however those on local services often deal in tickets only and in any event everyone gets the same service, however tips may be given to a regular driver at xmas or new year.

Its normal to give the postman a sizable tip once a year at xmas or new year as with the dustbin man.
Dick Dasterdly is offline  
Old Jul 16th 2011, 12:59 am
  #29  
Banned
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,008
JLFS has a reputation beyond reputeJLFS has a reputation beyond reputeJLFS has a reputation beyond reputeJLFS has a reputation beyond reputeJLFS has a reputation beyond reputeJLFS has a reputation beyond reputeJLFS has a reputation beyond reputeJLFS has a reputation beyond reputeJLFS has a reputation beyond reputeJLFS has a reputation beyond reputeJLFS has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Tipping in bars and cafes.

Just 2 words from me.


Minge bags.
JLFS is offline  
Old Jul 16th 2011, 2:08 am
  #30  
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Domino has a reputation beyond reputeDomino has a reputation beyond reputeDomino has a reputation beyond reputeDomino has a reputation beyond reputeDomino has a reputation beyond reputeDomino has a reputation beyond reputeDomino has a reputation beyond reputeDomino has a reputation beyond reputeDomino has a reputation beyond reputeDomino has a reputation beyond reputeDomino has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Tipping in bars and cafes.

I have noticed that some bars round up/down the bill on a random basis, usually to a neat euro without any cents.
Domino is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -

Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.