If you travel overseas, you might want to be up to date on the proper way and when to tip people in service industries; waiters, baggage persons, guides or drivers, housekeeper, concierge, bartender etc.

The tipping etiquette in Europe is pretty similar from country to country, but here is a short breakdown. There are three or four situations where tipping comes into play; restaurants, hotels, drivers and guides.

France:
* Restaurants: If you see the words "Service Compris" on your restaurant bill it means that the tip was included. The rest of the time, leave 10% in coins. Tipping at the bar is not expected.
* Guides and Drivers: Professional guides get about 25 Euros per person per day which would include the tip. A driver who takes you around would get about half of that plus the car fare if any. Give a Euro or two for a taxi driver - more if they are really helpful.
* Hotels: One Euro per bag, one or two Euros for a housekeeper, a concierge would get 5 to 15 Euros per task depending on how difficult it was to perform. For restaurant reservations or tickets to a show, pay them half when the service is performed and the other half when you return from the event.

Germany:
* Restaurants: Ten to 15% to the bartender or waiter.
* Guides and Drivers: Private tours tip 25 Euros for half day and 50 Euros for a full day. A taxi driver would receive 10% of the fare - more if they are really helpful.
* Hotels: One or two Euros per bag, one or two Euros for a housekeeper for one night more if you are staying for three or more nights, a concierge would get 5 to 15 Euros per task depending on how difficult it was to perform; for restaurant reservations or tickets to a show, pay them half when the service is performed and the other half when you return from the event.

Greece:
* Restaurants: Round up the total on the bill to the nearest 5. If the bill is 22 Euros, leave them 25 Euros and call it good. If the service was better or totally over the top, you could add another 5 Euros.
* Guides and Drivers: Private tours tip 20 Euros for half day and 50 Euros for a full day. No tip expected for taxi drivers. If you tell them to keep the change, they are happy.
* Hotels: One Euro per bag, one for a housekeeper, a concierge would get a small tip if they really did something difficult to perform.

Italy:
* Restaurants: Ten percent and nothing more.
* Guides and Drivers: Private tours tip 20 Euros for half day and 50 Euros for a full day. A taxi driver can keep the change.
* Hotels: Three to five Euros per bag, one Euro for a housekeeper for one night more if you are staying for three or more nights, a concierge would get 5 to 10 Euros per task depending on how difficult it was to perform.

Turkey:
* Restaurants: Ten percent or a tad more. You can't add the tip to the credit card bill so have a little cash.
* Guides and Drivers: Private tours tip 20 Euros for half day and 50 Euros for a full day. A taxi driver can keep the change.
* Hotels: Two Euros per bag, a concierge would get 10 Euros per task depending on how difficult it was to perform.
* Turkish Baths: Masseur would get 10 Euros or 10% whichever is greater.

Tipping in most cultures or countries is at your discretion. If you get good service, you should reward the person who performs it. Keep in mind, if you are likely to see the person again, you might want to let your conscious be your guide.

Until next time, let me know what travel articles you would like to see, and how you are doing, O.K.?

Jim Fortune - the Bella Budget Travel Guy