Tipping

Although Americans may have been voted the world's worst tourists, they are the heavyweight champions when it comes to tipping. In France, this is not a cultural norm. Bills in bars and restaurants must by law include service (despite what entrepreneurial servers may tell you), so tipping isn’t required. Waiters are paid well; it is polite, however, to round your bill with small change unless you're dissatisfied. The amount varies—from €0.20 for a beer to €1–€3 after a meal. In expensive restaurants, it's common to leave an additional 5%–10% on the table.

With taxi drivers, round up for shorter trips and add up to 5% of the tab for longer ones. Tip hairdressers 10%. In some theaters and hotels cloakroom attendants may expect nothing (watch for signs that say pourboire interdit—tipping forbidden; otherwise, give them €1).

If you stay more than two or three days in a hotel, leave something for the chambermaid—about €1–€2 per day; if the chambermaid also does pressing or laundering for you, give her an extra €1.50–€2 on top of the bill. Expect to pay €2 (€1 in a moderately priced hotel) to the person who carries your bags or hails a taxi for you. In hotels providing room service, give €1–€2 to the waiter (unless breakfast is routinely served in your room). If the concierge has been helpful, leave a tip of €5–€20 depending on the service.

Museum guides should get €1–€1.50 after a tour. For other kinds of tours, tip the guide or leader 10% of the tour cost. It's standard practice to tip long-distance bus drivers about €2 after an excursion, too.