Vienna's (New) Tipping Problem

Tipping in Vienna is a hot topic! Traditionally, a small tip showed appreciation for good service. But is this changing?
The Issue:
Some feel tipping is becoming mandatory, not a way to say thanks.
Takeaway spots are asking for tips too, which some find surprising.
Why the Change?
Minimum wage might not be enough for a good living, especially with inflation.
Fewer people want these jobs if tips are low, hurting businesses.
The Question:
Should customers pay more through tips to fix a broken system?
Or should waiters get a higher base wage and tipping become optional?
Let's Discuss!
What do you think about tipping in Vienna? Share your thoughts below!
#austria #travel #europe #vienna #travelguide #viennaguide #restaurant #tippingculture
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[@austriamex]

Well me as an Austrian living in Austria I just tip how much i want, if I dont like the service I wont tip at all.

[@sortac738]

yeah I never once thought about if its 5 or 10% , I simply tip how i felt about the service. but I also nearly ever have rude waiters so I dont know where alls these people come from... sure there are waiters who are not overly friendly, but that does not make them rude. I would even say I prefer a waiter who is not overly friendly but just honest.

[@Agtsmirnoff]

American here, I'm sorry! I fucking hate tipping, makes interactions so awkward.

[@radhikaacharya4344]

Thanks for sharing your perspective. Our experience was that the service quality was terrible in most of the restaurants we visited. Most waiters gave the impression that they were doing a favour. We preferred not to tip ! Rudeness can be a local tradition, if they are serving a foreign tourist, they cannot really expect them to appreciate it and reward them!

[@KhyatiPuria]

That’s very unfortunate! Usually we do come across friendly waiters…but I agree the level of rudeness is unacceptable

[@arnoweldert6797]

That is Vienna. Most livable City in the world, but als the Most unfriendly. (it has von both awards)

[@Pryvitundschalom]

geh nach amerika da wirst du erleben was KEIN service ist!

[@Curzon1999vie]

Austrian from Vienna here: I think I have never been asked how much I wanted to tip. I normally do (lazy multiplying amount with 1.1 on my watch). What I hate are tipping questions at card terminals when you pay at restaurants where you pick up the food by yourself. There was NO service. I never tip there but it is so awkward because the staff watches you

[@KhyatiPuria]

Agree I regularly ditch those places the next time, because I want to avoid that awkward situation.

[@mermaida.3999]

Same here also from Vienna I see no problem here. You give what you deem as appropriate or not at all if service was not satisfactory.

[@Nurseangel1004]

52 years living in Vienna and Never ever was asked how much i would Like to tip. Man.... where are you all going

[@compasstravelguide]

Just today ... A random restaurant on our way called Kaffee Alt Wien. Asked us to tip minimum 10 to 20 percent! And was waiting there for us to reply back immediately.

[@HaloseBetaM14]

Yeah, not from Austria but a neighbor to the east. I used to round up to a close whole number. Not by percent but by feel. These days I don't have this problem. I can't afford to dine out. The prices have doubled at eateries since 2020. Expenditures have risen significantly but my pay didn't follow. I've learned to cook and tip myself generously.

[@haiyangwan2363]

I did not like the excessive antics around tipping in Vienna, in the tourist areas we were in. It was like a feeding frenzy and puts me off a bit going to Vienna again. One time when buying a couple of coffees the waiter presented me with a screen on the electronic payment device that showed me 4 faces going from yellow neutral face (for 5% tip) through a succession of happier-and-greener-looking faces for 10%, 15% and 20% tips. I said “I just want to pay the basic price”. I did not see if this prompted the screen to show a furious-red-looking face. I was not even sure whose face the coloured faces were supposed to represent… the waiter or the customer. I do not want to indulge in this nonsense every time I buy a couple of coffees.

[@KhyatiPuria]

100% agree

[@paulpaul5032]

oh man, I can feel that. very pragmatic video, I like it. I also don't understand why should I always tip especially for mediocre service. Ok, the waiter brought me my order from the kitchen to my table and that's it, I should tip for that? If I wanted to pay for delivery, I wouldn't leave home and get my food delivered right into my apt.

[@KhyatiPuria]

The problem is that there are so many new jobs today where people might deserve tips. Many of these jobs are low-paid, but people still do great work without expecting tips. I'd love to tip more often my postman for handling packages carefully, and stop tipping rude waiters.

[@Nurseangel1004]

@@KhyatiPuriathen do it, we dont have a tipping policy here and yes i live there since 52 years.

[@sarapanzarella97]

So we just got back from our trip - which we had a couple days in Vienna at the beginning and end. I was surprised that the last 3 restaurants we went to - every server showed/asked if we wanted to add a 10% or our choice of tip. I liked this approach as compared to a restaurant sneaking in a 'service fee'. Plus the service we received at all of the restaurants was very good.

[@quincyquincy4764]

I dislike tipping culture. Everyone deserves to be paid a living wage.

[@pelton1]

I don't have answer for this problem. In Brazil they add a 10% charge at the bill. It is not obligated to pay, but people in general pay it and it is paid directed to the restaurant, unless you disliked the service and ask to remove it. The whole charges of a day is divided among all staff, no only waiters, but cookers, cashiers etc. Of course you can also give an extra tip exclusively to the waiter that seviced you if you want.

[@KhyatiPuria]

Also interesting…haven’t seen that anywhere else.

[@mabelodedina9965]

I am glad that you made this video. I was told by waiter that tip is not included and he was adding a 10% and then round up to full euro, so it’s like 13%… in the beginning; so for the rest of the trip, I just added 10% automatically… now I know

[@KhyatiPuria]

I mostly carry some cash when going to restaurants. I pay the bill by card and leave a few extra euros in cash. I realized I tip much more if I tip by card.

[@ViennaRobert]

while you should never let a waiter do that, you should tip between 5 and 15% depending on your satisfaction of the service.

[@charlotte7374]

I really struggle with figuring out how much I should tip. A system similar to Sweden, where everything is already included in the price, would be best.

[@KhyatiPuria]

Agree, and you could still tip for extraordinary experiences if you want.

[@greenleaf8226]

i have never been pre charged a tip for a takeaway coffee, or a self service coffee in a coffee shop in vienna... your experience what you spoke of was new news to me... personaly i dont care what the rules are, my tip size depends how good the service was... I love khyati's facial expressions when it comes to food tasting and/or service...💖

[@Chowtime5481]

I completely agree that if I have to go somewhere and pick up my own food there is absolutely no need for me to leave a tip. I will always leave a tip when I'm being served at a restaurant. If the service is between good and excellent. Tip is something that you earn and should not be expected. I'm not sure how it is in Vienna, the rest of Austria or the rest of the European Union, but here in the United States, any job that you work at you must have applied for it. What I mean by that is that there is no such thing as you getting a letter in the mail telling you that, even though you want to be a doctor, an engineer a farmer or plummer, unfortunately, the powers that be, decided that you are going to be a server at a restaurant. If you are a server and you hate that job then do something else. You don't have to be a server if you don't like your job don't take it out on the customers. Same goes with any other job, if you don't like the job that you have, do something else. Find something that you like to do or even better work for yourself and do what you want to do.

[@KhyatiPuria]

Some people might not be able to choose and I definitely don’t see the mistake on the waiters side! The job is known for receiving tips and if the economy is booming it’s a quite lucrative service job. I see the problem more that it’s expected. It shouldn’t be necessary to expect tips. It something that culturally developed over time and is definitely outdated. We need to find ways to make running a restaurant more lucrative so I can pay my staff higher wages.

[@snarepusher]

I've worked in food delivery and I know that cashless tipping, especially since the pandemic, has been highly demanded by a lot of customers. I myself live on the 4th floor without an elevator, so I already know that I will be giving the poor person the algorithm chose a tip, but I still prefer cash if I have some around. Also you don't have to pay taxes on tips, but if it's some system where the employee officially hands you your tips (like with any cashless system) you do have to pay social security insurance on that. I don't mind paying that, as it is an insurance and will increase sick pay, pension, etc., but I know many people prefer not do, because they might need any penny now. What I do like about tipping the way it's done in Vienna is that people who cannot afford much can still afford to go out for dinner from time to time, because restaurant prices are not as high as for example in scandinavia, and just tip the minimum, wils those who don't have to check every Euro can be more generous to the staff in their favourite restaurants

[@KhyatiPuria]

Great input! Agree on both points...

[@werwertuu]

Totally agree, great analysis, subscribed! I despise that unfriendly waiters are the norm here, 45mins away in Bratislava waiters are MUCH nicer even though they get much lower salary, so its a culture problem we Austrians should no longer accept.

[@nehabehl515]

Very educational video! Well done! I should not let my husband pay when in Vienna 😂. Living in Finland we (he) dont believe in tipping culture 😂

[@KhyatiPuria]

Same goes for Iranians and Japanese 😂 very bad tippers.

[@bimblaq]

Tipping rude waiters in Vienna is not considered normal.. i don’t do that nor anyone in my family or friends. I don’t know anyone who tips at take away.. it’s uncommon

[@silvesterbecker1015]

If I need to stand while ordering and consume my order somewhere else, there is now service involved thus I am not tipping.

[@KhyatiPuria]

100% agree

[@ODexiko]

In Theory, you don't have to tip, but in Praxis you should tip. I come from Serbia and live in Vienna for the last 20 years. The first couple of years, I didn't know that tipping was even a thing to consider. Paying for something more than it's priced seemed just plain stupid for me, but with years and experience working in Gastronomic Industry, I learned that I was wrong. Tipping plays a big role in motivation of the worker of how his or her service towards you will continue. I salute the strong Character that says it doesn't matter to them if they get tipped or not. They either get a good paycheck or are new to the Industry, but in most cases they are not. It is just the reality of things how they are now, but probably were always like this and will probably continue to be.

[@KhyatiPuria]

I agree and always reward good service.

[@GutnarmEVE]

"coperto" just means that they charged you for the ...cover? "gedeck"? like, 2 slices of bread and a napkin suffices. a thing quickly adopted from french high dining, upcharging decades ago to compensate revenue loss due to water-drinking tourists. (probably; revenue usually is in the drinks, served/prepared by 1-2 persons, not the food 5+ have been working on.)

[@KhyatiPuria]

Most of the time there is no "Gedeck" in Italy and they still charge "Coperto".

[@zembalu]

Tipping is common in our society. No tip at all is definitely a statement of discontent, where I expect the waiter to ask for my reason and I am eager to explain that. Nobody will ask, if it is just a symbolic tip, say, 7 instead of 6,90. And no waiter will be less friendly when he recognizes you as a bad tipper the next visit. Tipping generously of course raises the mood, but from the waiters viewpoint, this just keeps the statistical mean level after undersized tipps. A waiter or waitress usually works for turnover, which automatically increases the amount gathered from tips.At the end of his shift, he or she sees the extra sum, not the individual participations. In Austria, paying in cash is still very common, and you will be very appreciated, if the waiter needs not to mess around with small coins, because that means extra work and thus extra stress. I have often experienced, that a waiter friendly refuses extra coins to the tip, because he has enough work around. I generally tip 10 %, but I am too lazy for the exact calculation. Hence, I estimate the 10 % and round up to the next even sum, which is mostly more than, sometimes less then the 10 %. And I prefer to pay in cash, even when cards are accepted, because it gets a lot faster, and is a win-win situation for both, waiter and customer.

[@ViennaRobert]

As someone who has been in the austrian hospitality industry for 3 decades on all levels of the industry from high end to big events and has literarally thousands of restaurant, bar and club visits under his belt, both internationally as well as locally.... While I´ll definitely agree that you shouldn´t reward crappy service and that the electronic extortion of tips is annoying...The Viennese tipping system in general is the best there is from both worlds. Hospitality is NOT the same as other jobs. There is no other Industry with this quantity and diversity of human interaction and work intensity. You get more assholes and Karens /and or Drunks/ and or entitled Idiots per hour than anywhere else. Plus you often have to solve issues and do hours and fill shifts in a manner that !almost! no other industry has. There's a huge "the show must go on" mentality. If a large group comes in or cook falls ill... you can get your haircut or paintjob an other day. Gastro is: solve it now, optimize later. Tips are what keeps the good people in the industry. The appreciation you get from tips often saves you emotionally that day, and treating yourself to something nice from the tips is what lets you put up with a whole lot of crap. If you kill the tipping system you´ll end up having exactly the waiters you complain about not wanting to have. In Corona thousands of great people in gastro got sucked up into other industries being offered far above average salaries, as good gastro staff excells at people skills, is extremely resilient and will work any kinds of hours day and night and thinks anybody complaining about a 38h week is a wussy little loser. And one of the biggest reasons good people in the industry put up with all that and put in the extra effort is the financial AND emotional appreciation through tips. That the American System is completely broken is another topic all together.

[@KhyatiPuria]

Agree on all points! No disrespect to the waiters! It’s a hard job and I’m always willing to tip somebody who is doing their absolute best! For me it’s just unclear where we draw the limits. Great service deserves great tips! Rude service deserves …?

[@ViennaRobert]

@@KhyatiPuria rude or careless or lazy waiters.... feel free to give them nothing. they shouldn´t get anything.

[@rastislavsmolek8140]

If the waiter is non competent, pay by cash and no tip. Otherwise, give a tip.

[@QbkR_from_10000_feet]

Very good comment. Only one thing. Don’t want to be disrespectful but using GASTRO in this context is quite confusing. In English it’s more of a medical term.

[@sktnikolaus4130]

I'm from Vienna. I hate if i get forced to do something. The service-fee of delivery services is such a thing. But if I want to be honest , that is "not" a hot topic here in Vienna. At most services we give what we want. And if it was bad ... have a nice day.

[@Nicole-tf3sh]

I ALWAYS give a tip but depending if the food/service was good or not i give more or less. Bad: 17,70-> 19,00 Good: 17,70 -> 20,00 For example.

[@amitdhakre8058]

I have been told by the locals tipping 5 to t0% is part of the culture. Normally, they are rounding off to 10% if the service is satisfactory. 5% of if something was off to sbow that something was off and no tip if it was bad. Coperto is cover charge and not the tip and is independent of the bill amount. Generally nowadays its 2 euros per person. You pay even if you just have a coffee of 3 euros. Tipping for takeaways is the worst.

[@KhyatiPuria]

In Austria, we sometimes have an even crazier practice. We pay something similar to "coperto," which we call "Gedeck," and then we tip on top of that. This used to be standard at restaurants with table covers, as they had to clean them after every visitor. However, I've seen restaurants without those amenities that still charge Gedeck per person, and they expect a tip on top of that.

[@albral1]

Austrian here. I hate tip proposals on terminals. I usually tip generously between 10-15 %, no matter if drinks, coffee or large dinner. But I really hate when someone wants me to force into some tipping amount. No matter if it is less or more what I usually tip. Btw I wouldn’t create a hype around tipping and make it the rise or fall of the industry. Good restaurants, bars or cafes make their way. It all depends on the quality of the product and the quality of the service. On my end, I would rather go one or two times less into a restaurant than going into a bad one.

[@bellychic8]

Totally agree. I don’t believe in rewarding rude service. Curious in situations where you don’t tip, do you explain to them why? Or they should just get the hint (but probably don’t). I assume they just stare at you all pissed off lol😅

[@KhyatiPuria]

in 99% of cases I do still tip - but maybe less than normal

[@kamiito5518]

10% tip is great! Here in the US, the demand now is 20-25%! Its ridiculous!

[@VonGuller]

Thank you for the good information. If there is a card payment option available, can you also tip with card or do you have to tip with cash?

[@KhyatiPuria]

If they accept card, you can also tip by card.

[@wolfgang-franzkranek6146]

Even though not mandatory, for a few professions it's traditional part of their salary. Especially in the service industry. You even get taxed for it (Trinkgeldpauschale).

[@eedoo2]

It's very simple: If someone asks for a tip, they won't get any.

[@RazielKainus]

thats why I mostly avoid classic restaurants - it is already quite expensive (and I earn SLOVAK wage, but I still want to eat some nice food from time to time), and lets say the bill is like 12 euros, how many percent do they expect? I have to work a lot of hrs for THAT money, a lot more hrs than they do (because Slovak wages suck ...)... like ok, I tipped a couple times when I had eaten at that Indian restaurant, cos the food was great and it was just a nice place and neat service, so I fished out a couple coins... but automatic tipping like in US? HELL NO :D I mean, I dont .... money :D ... so in the meantime, I will utilize fast food, street food, and of course make use of pretty solid value food at grocery stores - like at SPAR, where I often get 1/2 grilled chicken + 2 semmel and sth to drink, together like 6 or 7 euros? and I get my fill :) ... good service is fine, sure, but I dont really feel like shelling out tons of money just cos someone smiles at me lol

[@KhyatiPuria]

Love that 😂 but yeah totally legit!

[@shamicentertainment1262]

I have a slightly different quesiton. Does paying so often in cash in austria make a positive difference to the income of shops? Does the government put much effort into people who don't declare all their cash income?

[@KhyatiPuria]

It depends 😅 every transaction must be declared - cash or card. But of course cash is easier to “hide” than a card transaction. However let’s not forget about Card transaction fees

[@Anderas73]

there is a law they need to give you a receipt, even if you throw it away. It needs to be printed in a traceable form and the IRS needs to get a digital copy of your receipts. So even in small shops it's almost impossible to hide money, even if most is paid cash.

[@vinyalonde]

As you alluded to, tipping is out of control here in North America. I visit New York and I would be taking my life in my hands if I did not tip at least 20 percent. One interesting aspect of this is who actually gets the tip. I make a point of paying the tip in cash to the server. On a number of occasions, I would get hostile looks from the restaurant managers on my way out because presumably, they had seen the zero tip on the bill (that I paid by card) and then the question is, did the server tell the manager that I had paid them the tip in cash? If not, this suggests to me that the manager is probably skimming the tips and the server does not see all of it, or in some cases any of it. I don't think the wait staff are necessarily the villains in all cases. Indeed most of them are just trying to survive. I am visiting Vienna in late November of this year, my first trip, and I am curious to see what the waiters are like. One thing I have found when it comes to wait staff is that usually, the staff in the hotel restaurants are very good. This has been my experience in the past.

[@KhyatiPuria]

Servers definitely aren't to blame for tipping. I know restaurants have a tough time making money, but the way tipping works now just feels broken and out of date. Maybe there's a better way to do things that's fair for everyone. I actually really like the concept in Scandinavia. Just include it into the price and make sure you can pay the wages of your staff without having to depend on tips

[@Nurseangel1004]

So im Vienna we can tip but we dont have to. We Pay our Waiters much more the Other Countrys. If i didnt Like the Service i dont tip. And i Never saw somewhere that i have to tip at a Self Service Station or Like a bakery. Only if i enjoy breakfast there and a waiter brings me my Food and Drinks.

[@arnoweldert6797]

I live in Vienna since 25 Years, and never have Seen that, The unwritten rule is about 5 to 10 %, like the video says, but Nobody really counts how much they leave. Sometimes I Tip to much, some times under that. And if the service is bad, I don't Tip. I also don't Tip at self service. Only if I am sitting on the Restaurant Bar or cafe.

[@KhyatiPuria]

That's how it's supposed to be! I've been noticing those tipping terminals more frequently, especially at takeaway coffee spots. It's always such an awkward moment when they wait for you to tap on the screen to choose your tip amount.

[@kona6812]

​@@KhyatiPuriaAnd again you don't have to and I never will! What kind of service did they do? Hand over your coffee! Tips are included in the bill and I tipp additionaly for good service, rounded to 5 or 10 or exeptional service 10%. And by the way I hate the way beeing treated in the US. Smiled in your face while you order something but getting rude throwing out when you just want to talk to your partner. And then you should give 15-20% for a broken US wage system? No, I do prefer the "rude" service in Austria/Europa!

[@StephanieYan]

What. The U.S. can have non existing service or terrible service and still expect a 20% tip. Nowadays the default is like 25% tip. It’s out of control

[@KhyatiPuria]

How is the reaction if you tip below 20% - just because you didn't like the experience.

[@StephanieYan]

@@KhyatiPurialot of side eyeing. 😅 well people don’t care if they gave you bad service. They just expect the tip. I’ve had people chase after me after a meal because the tip wasn’t high enough. With food prices also going up, a 20% tip can be incredibly high… sometimes 40-60 dollars 😢

[@KhyatiPuria]

@@StephanieYan Wow that’s crazy! Last time we visited US was in 2018 and we honestly only experienced good service! And it did feel right to tip 20%. But yeah we saw it as tourists.

[@MarcellaVermicelli]

I tip on the experience that I had while dining in the restaurant. When I am greeted with a smile and and talked to like a human being and treated with respect and my meal was good, than by all means you will get a tip. If I am treated like just another person expecting to tip me for whatever service I get, sorry but you don't deserve it. When i visited New Zealand, there was no expectation of a tip, in fact, I was looked at wierdly because I wanted to tip them. TIPS = Too Insure Proper Service. Quite frankly, if you want a tip in a country that it is expected, than you need to perform better.

[@KhyatiPuria]

Makes total sense to me...New Zealand sounds like the Scandinavian concept.

[@Marthysgarden]

If you want my money charge me for it, leave it up to me I’m paying the amount charged and nothing more

[@markuskoarmani1364]

They charged me 20% in buffet in NW hotel vienna Airport Hotel. OMG a buffet where service of waiter is 0 percent WTF

[@KhyatiPuria]

That's strange...was it maybe called "Gedeck"? I can't remember when I have dined in a hotel in Vienna, but I can imagine that they charge "Gedeck", which is around 3-4 euros per person.

[@3HR3NGR4B]

*"Tipping" das alte Trinkgeld^^* 😁👍

[@bliblablubb0712]

They are not my employees, why I shall pay their salary? Japanese are right about this topic.

[@reneeanderson-xc9eg]

Am 8.Juli werde ich in Wien sein nach 50 Jahren in San Francisco jetzt weiss ich nicht wieviel Trinkgeld zu geben dachte immer in Österreich ist es inbegriffen ❤❤😂😂

[@3HR3NGR4B]

Nein das Trinkgeld gibt man immer nach Gutdünken selbst wobei es z.B. davon abhängt wie man bedient wurde bzw. wie sehr man die Leistung zu schätzen weiß aber manche geben NIE ein Trinkgeld...

[@mrchillgreen]

@Khyati & Puria having a rude waiter is definetly not normal in austria not sure where you have that from but if you speak only about vienna meh "vienna may be different" but i highly doubt it tho.

[@KhyatiPuria]

Not gonna name the restaurants but after living here for over 30years we came across a lot of of strange service experiences. When I compare it to other cities the ratio of unfriendly:friendly restaurant is definitely off in Vienna.

[@sortac738]

@@KhyatiPuria tbh I only ever hear from non Austrian people that our waiters are rude. I am 31 years now and had like 2 rude waiters - and that was in full restaurants and they probably had a bad day. They greet, they take my order, ask if the food was good, they come to ask if we want something to drink if our glasses are empty and normaly couple of minutes after food is finished they ask if we want desserts... And normaly they give you as much privacy as possible to not disturb you with your friends. That is in my opinion good service. Maybe its a culture problem? In my opinion in Austria people dont measure good service with how friendly the waiter is but how good his work is - so many waiters are simply themself - human beeings. Maybe its a problem with the language barrier, meaning that some waiter maybe are not as familiar with english as they should be and it comes of as rude just because they dont know english customs? I dont know where the problem comes from but a rarely ever see a rude waiter in Austria - does not matter if its in Vienna or the rest of Austria.

[@KhyatiPuria]

I would consider myself more Austrian than non-Austrian 😅 I lived 98% of my life in Vienna, know the culture better than many natives, speak the German language and Wienerisch dialect perfectly. So the problem must be beyond language skills :) but that’s not the direction I want to go with my videos. With our videos we just want to share advantages and disadvantages of living in Vienna. We don’t have to argue that the upsides of living in Vienna are far greater than small issues like the acceptance of rude waiters. Puria 🙋🏻‍♂️

[@sortac738]

@@KhyatiPuria Then please at least tell me what you consider as rude. Maybe its a difference in perception of rude? Since I cant get my head around that. Saw like 20 different channels that all tell me the waiters are supposely rude. But I never really get a good answer. Some admited that rude meant in the context of not friendly - but not beeing friendly does not equal beeing rude, but simply as beeing normal, at least imo. Could also be that I dont see it as rude since its normal for me - as in I am used to it

[@KhyatiPuria]

@@sortac738 Have you ever received a dirty glass and asked for a replacement? That's the ultimate rudeness test in a restaurant :)

[@bandersnatch6546]

Come to Japan. There's no tipping culture. Just a "thank you" would do. You're welcome.

[@thomaslorenz6036]

Sorry, but i disagree. You are not expected to tip. If you got a bad waiter you have two choices: a) give no tip. Unlike in the US, tipping is not a lewd way to pretend food is cheaper than it actually is, because you eventually pay 25% more than is stated on the menu. Sure, Austrian waiters see tips as part of their regular income. But tipping does send a message. b) You give too much of a tip. It is admittedly a nasty thing ;-). Giving too much tip (like 20-30%) says: You are so utterly bad, inpolite or whatever that i am throwing money at you, because i can. It is meant as a real insult. I dont think have done it more than twice in all my life.

[@solsticeprojekt1937]

Actually, it's 20% here in Vienna. Also I think he's absolutely blowing this out of proportions. Nobody is forced to pay anything. I have no idea why USAmericans are having such trouble simply not giving away their money. It's like they're all suffering from general insecurity.

[@GutnarmEVE]

good sir, please stow away your apples vs. pears spreadsheets, as they really don't concern the lives of probably ~95% of viennese waiters/waitresses: like, who's seriously "voll angemeldet" at some bigger place, and how many of them do overtime "on the side", voluntarily or not. basically: you work? you work. anmeldung, 5h/woche okay? no? next, please. ...doesn't mean there aren't smug pricks about (usually either very young, or too old to care), not doing their jobs, trying to milk you for money. ("restaurantfachmann", professional waiter, actually is a tight 3y apprenticeship over here.) basically, though? as I've been taught by my grandpa: tip is tip, 10% is 10%, less if it's been a sh1tshow, more, if it's been quite pleasant.

[@abelbedi5968]

Not tipping = stealing!!! You didn't mention some important things. 1. A waiter/waitress has to give from his/her tips to the kitchen. In most cases, it's 1%-2% of the total income of his/her station. If his/her sales volume was €3000 during his/her shift, the kitchen staff gets from him/her €60, no matter how much tip he/she earned that day. If there is a bartender who prepares the drinks for him/her, it's an additional €20-€50 (it depends on the sales volume too). So, if a customer makes a €50 bill and leaves without a tip, he/she pulls €1 out of his/her pocket. Yes, 10% is expected, after which about 6% should remain for him/her. But the truth is that you never reach 10%. Even on your best days, 7% is achievable. 2. We work on weekends, holidays, and evenings without getting paid extra, unlike other people (bus drivers, police officers, rail workers...)

[@JO-nh6mo]

If you order food by delivery in Austria, you have lost control over your life (and probably finances). Why not cook yourself and tip yourself??

[@KhyatiPuria]

You never felt like ordering a pizza after a stressful working day? We do cook a lot, but sometimes we really don’t feel like cooking and doing dishes!

[@enriquesanchez2001]

WOW! Thank you for the warning, Khyati & Puria! At home in the US, I RARELY go out to eat! But be sure that tipping is getting out of control here, too. 15% is no longer acceptable! In March, I was in Paris, but even though I know it has been the custom to assume that "service" is included, I heard some strange times when even French servers were almost demanding a tip from customers.

[@KhyatiPuria]

It’s a nice tax free income. A dream come true for every business. So many might try their luck even if it’s not part of the culture.

[@jeffgorham8819]

Part of the problem in Europe if they think you are American, they expect you to tip like you are in the States (20%) and not like the locals do.

[@greenleaf8226]

sounds like the typical rude paris waiters