As an expat living in France, this question still comes up amongst me, my friends and visitors—do you tip? Unlike the US the answer is complicated, as all things with French living. The main difference between the US and France is that workers here are paid a living wage so they do not depend on tips. At the same time, each experience is subjective, so if you feel like you received exemplary service, which is 1 in a million, a tip is always a nice gesture to say “Thank You”. So when to tip and not to tip? Here’s our go to guide. For the cliff notes guide for other European counties, click here.

RESTAURANTS

Fact: French law requires for tax and tip to be included in the final price of the bill at restaurants and cafes. This basically means that all restaurants in Paris include a 15% service fee, which is automatically included in the price of each menu item and is separate from the VAT (Tax).

An easy way to identify this to look for “Servis Compris” or “Prix Nets-Servis Compris” on your check. You would think that based on this, you wouldn’t be put in a precarious situation, but be forewarned—in some restaurants, the server will ask for a tip if they can tell you are American or if you are a tourist. I single out American because we are notorious for tipping, and as much flack as the French will give us, that is one thing that they appreciate—that Americans are generous tippers.

I have been to restaurants a few times with my American friends and though I have been to these restaurants before, they will always ask for a tip when I’m with an American or Asian friend, but never when I am there alone. What makes the situation awkward is the staff actually asking your group because she identified your friend as a tourist and you know they are taking advantage of that fact. This shady game of “Let’s trick the tourist” puts a sour taste in your mouth. This is why I speak French anytime I go to a restaurant unless I am with someone who is fluent—some people will take advantage of you. Whatever you do, don’t feel guilted into tipping—it is not required and 15% tip is already included in your bill!!

Saying all of that, you can choose to leave a discretionary tip if you receive great service. Depending on the type of restaurant and type of service, this amount will vary, but it shouldn’t be 20% like in the US, or even 15% for that matter. Remember, in addition to the 15% service fee added to your bill, they are paid a living wage here, sign a work contract, get health insurance and get a paid vacation, whereas in the US, servers need tips to live.

So, what’s the right amount?

Standard additional tipping by the French is a few euros—for instance if the bill is 45€ and the service was ok, you can leave two euro; if it was exemplary, you can leave 5€, so basically max close to 10%. Either way, it is not required and it is a bonus to the server. If the service was crap, leave nothing. If you are at an upscale restaurant and they went out of their way for you and your party, you can also choose to give them more money. Most French people will not leave more than 10-20€, even at a Michelin star restaurant. And honestly a Michelin star restaurant will not expect a tip, nor ask for one. Again, I stress that tipping is NOT required and have even been told by my servers at the Ritz and Crillon not to tip them, so use your own judgement and do what feels right—If you want to tip, tip; if not, don’t—you are not stiffing anyone.

I know it sometimes gets difficult if they don’t want to accept your tip and some establishments even have a sign that states “pourboire interdit” (tipping forbidden). If you feel like they went above and beyond for you and want to give them extra, just let them know you would like to thank them for their exemplary service and you would like them to take it as a gift. And if they insist on refusing, let it go.

Pro-Tip: If you choose to leave a tip because you really felt that your server was amazing, leave it in cash, as they will probably never see it if you leave it on your card. There is no line to add tip here—you tell them to add it onto the bill before you sign, which makes matters more confusing.

Pro-Tip 2: You shouldn’t ask if tip is included. Use this guide and look at your check, which will note it. If you decide to ask, ask if service is included, not tip. If you ask re: tip, most people will say that it is not included.

SPAS

This one is tricky as some spas don’t allow tipping and then there are some where you ask how much, reception will tell you it is already included, which it is as it follows the same rule as restaurants where 15% is already included. This will most likely happen at the five star hotels—Ritz Paris, Four Seasons, The Peninsula, you get my drift… For these instances, use your judgement. If it was the most amazing massage, facial or treatment and you felt your therapist did an above average job, give a little extra. If not, it really is not necessary. I have confirmed this with hotel staff and tipping at some of these establishments is a bonus as service is already included. For smaller spas where tipping is not included, a tip of 10% is adequate if you really liked the service

Pro-Tip: Whenever in doubt and you don’t want to ask reception, just look at your bill. It notes whether or not the 15% was already included. If you liked the service and want to tip, go for it.

Manis/Pedis/Waxing

For manicure/pedicures, and/or waxing, I will leave up to 10% if the service was amazing. Some people will say that is high by French standards, but if you are a repeat customer and really like your practitioner, it is a nice way to say thank you. Again, tipping is not necessary and is not customary here, so never feel obligated. Most times I do, they are usually surprised, but still appreciative. Some of these places will have tipping jars or mini piggy banks by their stations, which makes it easier to identify whether or not they are somewhere that appreciates tips.

Pro-Tip: At some nail salons, they give me a free chair massage while I dry. I always tip this woman 5-10€ based on the length of time and you should too even if no one else does. Every nice gesture should be returned with a nice gesture.

Pro-Tip: At Nail Salons and Waxing Salons it is not necessary and most people don’t do it. There are some times where I have had not change and they could not break by bills either and don’t tip. They are fine because they are not expecting a tip. I’ve also gotten stares from other women at the salon when I do tip, as it is not French custom.

Hair

For hair, it is customary to tip 10% on cuts and above. Saying that, I still tip on blowouts, or as they call it here, “le brushing” because I get them so often. I do stick to the rule that if they do a horrible job or make me wait too long, I do not tip.

Pro-Tip: When tipping for beauty services, please note you are setting a precedent for all future appointments. If you tip once, they will expect a tip at all future appointments.

Taxis/Ubers

For taxis, a tip of 5% is adequate if you are coming from the airport or doing a long drive and the taxi driver was good. I usually tip my driver 10% because he helps me with my luggage and it is usually heavy. Again, this is not required and they are very grateful as most French people don’t do it. If it is a short trip, rounding to the nearest dollar is fine. For example if your fare is 7.50€, you can round to 8€ to 10€ based on level of service—i.e. did he open the door for you, did he bring you right to your door, was he professional, etc.

For ubers, you now have the option to tip 1€, 2€, 5€ or do a custom amount based on service. I usually tip the highest possible amount for service niceties like sometimes they will surprise me and wait till I get into my building before driving off at night. I leave 0 if he is rude. And I leave anywhere in between for good service.

Hotels

This is the one place where you should always tip and it is expected as the whole business is about making you happy and hotels are the one place in France where you will be guaranteed good service (unless you stay in a real seedy hotel that is.)

With hotels, I would go by the type of hotel to help you figure out how much you should tip.

Housekeeping: 5 star 10€/day; 4 star 5€/day/ 3 star 3€/day. I always leave more especially if I have additional requests as they will be more likely to fulfill them.

Concierge: depends on how much they use them; can range from 5€ to €20 or more if you use them for everything!

Porter: varies depending on how many bags. 1€ to 3€ per bag depending on type of hotel

Bellboy calling you a taxi: 2€ to 5€ depending on type of hotel

Pro-Tip: If you heavily tip housekeeping, you may get things brought to your room that you normally would have had to pay for. Also, make sure to tip housekeeping everyday as you do not get the same person everyday.

Food Delivery

If you live in France like I do, you probably order food delivery from UberEats, JustEat or Deliveroo. The delivery charge is included in all platforms, but unclear if this goes to the driver or not. So the question is, does the driver deserve a tip? From my research it is not required, but I tend to fall into the American trap of tipping especially if it is monsooning outside. After much trial and error in my personal experience with food delivery in France, I’ve come to a new rule and tip when I get my food based on service from the driver. My standard tip is usually tip about 2€, more if we have bad weather. I absolutely don’t tip if I get bad service from the driver.

Pro-Tip: Always tip AFTER you get your food. Unlike Ubereats and JustEat, which both have the capacity to tip after delivery, Deliveroo does not. So make sure to have a few euro lying around or risk it and tip prior. Either way, think it is good to tip in cash if you have it so you know the driver is getting the money.

Guess the big lesson here is that everything is subjective—you are not obligated to tip in France by any means, but do what feels right based on the service you receive. Most French people and some of my American friends do not believe in tipping and encourage the opposite as they don’t want to encourage bad behavior and make tipping mainstream in France, as it is not the custom here as people get a living wage. There is also concern that we will be rewarding bad service models by tipping. Totally get their logic and understand the problems it causes as everything is not universal, whereas in the US, it is mandatory to tip because people need that money to live (which after living in Europe is BS—they should be paid living wages by their employer and the onus shouldn’t be on us).

Saying that, I also believe that money talks, so if there is somewhere you frequent a lot and need a favor at a later date whether it be an emergency reservation when they are fully booked or to squeeze you in for a spa appointment, you are more likely to get that favor if you are known to be a good patron and tipper. I also believe in not tipping when I receive horrible service, so I am glad that I am not obliged to do so here.

What are your thoughts on tipping in France? Any areas we missed? Would love to hear from you below or by dm!

Paris Survival Kit: Tipping Debate