Dining out by Dixie
I'd been in Germany for about twenty-four hours when I made my first mistake. My then boyfriend, now husband and I had gone out to lunch at a little bistro on the market square. We had our lunch and my husband summoned the waiter so we could pay the check. Since my husband, a quadriplegic, cannot use his hands I had to handle the money and when I was given the check I paid exactly the amount owed and the waiter, likely hating my guts at that point, walked off.
Why would the waiter hate me? Because I didn't leave him a tip. My husband didn't realize that in the US tipping is handled differently than in Germany. My intention was to leave the tip on the table when we left, as is customary in the US, but that practice isn't done here.
In Germany, tips are given directly to the server. When he/she comes by and give you the total of your bill, it's customary to at the very least round up the amount to the next euro and then if you wish to give extra, you may. For instance, if your bill comes to 26,35€ you would round up the amount to 27€ and then if you'd like to tip more to show your appreciation for the service you'd add to that the extra amount, in this case let's say you want to give another 3€. So your server will come to the table and will say to you "26,35€". You say back "30€", give the server the money, he/she gives back any other change and the bill and tip are taken care of all at the same time.
In my experience living in the eastern part of Germany, tips of 10% are customary. Check with others in your area to see what's the customary amount for tipping.
Except in fine restaurants, German restaurants are self seating - you're expected to find your own table. Germans, however, aren't put off by full tables. If one or two people are sitting at a table that seats four or six, go ahead and ask if you may share the table. This is standard practice and won't confuse the server at all. Germans find this practice absolutely normal and will likely politely ignore you but don't be surprised if they strike up a conversation with you. I've spent many afternoons in various restaurants in lively conversation with people I just happened to be sharing a table with. And be warned that in some parts of the country, especially in small villages, it's downright rude to sit at an empty table if there are empty seats at tables with other customers. Ignore them and sit at an empty table and you're likely to be called a snob.
Except for fine restaurants, it's likely your server won't take your credit card for payment. Take enough cash with you if you're planning on eating out.
Categories: restaurant, etiquette, dining, tipping
Why would the waiter hate me? Because I didn't leave him a tip. My husband didn't realize that in the US tipping is handled differently than in Germany. My intention was to leave the tip on the table when we left, as is customary in the US, but that practice isn't done here.
In Germany, tips are given directly to the server. When he/she comes by and give you the total of your bill, it's customary to at the very least round up the amount to the next euro and then if you wish to give extra, you may. For instance, if your bill comes to 26,35€ you would round up the amount to 27€ and then if you'd like to tip more to show your appreciation for the service you'd add to that the extra amount, in this case let's say you want to give another 3€. So your server will come to the table and will say to you "26,35€". You say back "30€", give the server the money, he/she gives back any other change and the bill and tip are taken care of all at the same time.
In my experience living in the eastern part of Germany, tips of 10% are customary. Check with others in your area to see what's the customary amount for tipping.
Except in fine restaurants, German restaurants are self seating - you're expected to find your own table. Germans, however, aren't put off by full tables. If one or two people are sitting at a table that seats four or six, go ahead and ask if you may share the table. This is standard practice and won't confuse the server at all. Germans find this practice absolutely normal and will likely politely ignore you but don't be surprised if they strike up a conversation with you. I've spent many afternoons in various restaurants in lively conversation with people I just happened to be sharing a table with. And be warned that in some parts of the country, especially in small villages, it's downright rude to sit at an empty table if there are empty seats at tables with other customers. Ignore them and sit at an empty table and you're likely to be called a snob.
Except for fine restaurants, it's likely your server won't take your credit card for payment. Take enough cash with you if you're planning on eating out.
Categories: restaurant, etiquette, dining, tipping
8 Comments:
actually I'm really just one of those people that's uncomfortable around strangers. strangers + me eating = extremely self-conscious.
lol it's because I dribble food EVERY freakin time.
i forgot about that rule!...come on, don't they get it that not everywhere works like germany, it takes mistakes to figure it out..they should be used to, or maybe they've never had foreign visitors at that particular restaraunt!
i'll enjoy reading your blog, my mother is full german, and i've enjoyed going to germany every couple years...i was so close to moving to germany, sometimes i wish i just had, it sounds like the mistakes you have made are entertaining enough:)
You guys are too much. :D This is a great idea! Side-barred! *applause*
Post more please! I'm an expat in France and loved reading this.
Are you going to continue this project?
***please***
It started out so nicely :-)
The Lone Beader should have read this before. She paid a meal in Cologne and did not know how to tip, either. So, when I realized this, I arranged everything for her. I had not known before that tipping is different in the US ... Cool Blog! Hope to read more soon!!!
You guys need to update this! Pleeeeease!!!!!!!!!
Who are you Mr/Ms. Anon? :P
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