Oldie Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 I always tip the Postman and the Pompiers 20 euros each at Christmas. Ithink they do a great job and it does at least show that they areappreciated. I take the calendar either from the Pompiers or from thePostman, but not from both. I don't tip the dustmen as we are in the'sticks' and take our rubbish to the tip. I am a pensioner but wouldn'tdream of giving less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyC Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 So, those of you who don't tip the postman/pompiers; don't you tip in restaurants either? Perhaps you're too young to remember Christmas boxes in the UK. As the daughter of a postman, I know what a difference it made to our Christmas. Nice to see someone's doing their bit for Anglo French relations anyway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tourangelle Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 Personally I tip postman, passing pompiers and soon. I generally tipped in restaurants too, if I thought theservice has been ok, but I was recently out with a French friend whohas lived in the UK, who told me she never tips in Frenchrestaurants, unless the service has been particularly good, because sheknows that here the service is included, whereas in the UK it is notalways the case and she would tip. I must admitt, her comment has made me thinktwice, and now I don't always feel I should leave a tip here in Franceif the service has only been ok, rather than good. [8-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyC Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 I know what you mean about tipping in restaurants. I only mentioned it because I think many people tip then because they think it's the done thing, whereas outside of the hospitality industry they can be mean and say that "these people are paid already". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blanche Neige Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 [quote user="Tourangelle"]Personally I tip postman, passing pompiers and so on. I generally tipped in restaurants too, if I thought the service has been ok, but I was recently out with a French friend who has lived in the UK, who told me she never tips in French restaurants, unless the service has been particularly good, because she knows that here the service is included, whereas in the UK it is not always the case and she would tip. I must admitt, her comment has made me think twice, and now I don't always feel I should leave a tip here in France if the service has only been ok, rather than good. [8-)][/quote] Re. Tipping in restaurants in France: This has been discussed before on this forum, some will agree and some will disagree!Tourangelle, we have been given the same information by a French friend who dines out a lot as part of his job, so we would rarely leave a tip after a meal in a restaurant in France. When we have been out with French friends they do not tip but British ones often do and maybe they just don't realise that things are different in France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tourangelle Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 you're right, we have talked about itbefore. I really don't know what to think, especially as myfriend is in quite a low paid job, (she works in a call centre tofinance her studies). It has, though, made me feel less guilty ifI don't have any change[:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamedup Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 If we are on about restos again then the idea that the service charge is included is just some sort of lousy rotten joke on the staff in far too many restos in France. Truth is that they will be cooking and serving for you illegally and actually working for nothing some of the time, but hey it is written that the service charge is included and so people don't tip. I know how too many restos work, not all I am pleased to say, but far too many, and it is probably worst in tourist areas during the season. So we tip, it would have to be exceptionally bad for us not to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mysfloss Posted December 13, 2005 Share Posted December 13, 2005 I never tip in restaurants because the sevice is included in the bill,as I said before why pay someone twice for doing their job ,you pay by returning to the same restaurant if you liked it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Vette Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 We sneaked a look at the list the pompier had and all our french neighbours had given 5 euros except the people opposite us who gave 10 but judging from the size of their house they could afford it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisb Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 I would be happy to tip the Firemen and the Postman 20€, but neither have called this year - instead, I have had the Retired Club, The Old Soldiers and the Blood Donors, all of whom were (or seemed to be!) quite happy with 5€.RegardsChris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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