If you order a Pizza and then do not give the delivery guy a tip. Is that considered bad form here? I normally always give say 2 EUR, but sometimes I just don't have change
R.Harris
All you people saying that tipping is not expected here are full of it. You should tip, period. Waiters know that if you are an expat that you probably won't tip and serve you accordingly. Everyone knows that the "15% service charge" NEVER makes it into the server's pocket. I was born here and grew up here and I have ALWAYS tipped.
Apr 8, 2017 17:59
kasseistamper
@R.Harris
I recently helped a US friend when she moved house.
During the day there was visit from an engineer from Belgacom to connect up the phones. My friend offered a generous tip and he made it crystal clear that he was insulted and flatly refused her money. He also pointed out that she would be getting a bill for his services and that they didn't come cheap.
On another occasion we booked a cab to take us to the airport and collect us on return for which we paid in advance. Our plane was delayed for 2 hours on return and the driver was sitting waiting for us at after 1 a.m. Clearly he was due a good tip. When we got home, he took the bags out of the back of the cab and, before I could get my wallet out, he had driven off. He clearly didn't expect a tip and made no effort to wait and see whether I offered one.
As for, 'Everyone' knowing............, I suggest that it is you who is full of it.
Perhaps you should talk to a wider range of restaurant staff. I'm sure that there are SOME places where the staff don't get all of the service charge but to suggest that it is normal and widespread is just plain wrong.
Apr 8, 2017 22:16
Mikek1300gt
R,Harris....I don't believe you were born here and grew up here, your own words say not. If you grew up as a Belgian, you would not even think of any "15% service charge", let alone wonder where it goes. The price is the price and long may it remain so.
You also say that expats will get poorer service because it's known they don't tip, yet can you explain how, in my 18 years in Belgium living with the locals, I have NEVER seen one tip in all those years including LAST NIGHT?
The one who is full of it, R.Harris, is you.
Go back to the USA where you can feel real proud that your server is on starvation wages but you can get a warm fuzzy glow by allowing them to eat, at your discretion of course.
Apr 9, 2017 08:36
AnnieK
I also don't understand at all what R. Harris is talking about. Is "here" in fact Belgium?? I've lived in Belgium for over twenty years and I have never seen a restaurant bill that would have any mention of a 15 % service charge. The restaurant bills have the cost of each item, the total sum and that's it.
However In the UK I've many many times received a restaurant bill that mentions that a 12.5 % service charge has been automatically added.
All you people saying that tipping is not expected here are full of it. You should tip, period. Waiters know that if you are an expat that you probably won't tip and serve you accordingly. Everyone knows that the "15% service charge" NEVER makes it into the server's pocket. I was born here and grew up here and I have ALWAYS tipped.
@R.Harris
I recently helped a US friend when she moved house.
During the day there was visit from an engineer from Belgacom to connect up the phones. My friend offered a generous tip and he made it crystal clear that he was insulted and flatly refused her money. He also pointed out that she would be getting a bill for his services and that they didn't come cheap.
On another occasion we booked a cab to take us to the airport and collect us on return for which we paid in advance. Our plane was delayed for 2 hours on return and the driver was sitting waiting for us at after 1 a.m. Clearly he was due a good tip. When we got home, he took the bags out of the back of the cab and, before I could get my wallet out, he had driven off. He clearly didn't expect a tip and made no effort to wait and see whether I offered one.
As for, 'Everyone' knowing............, I suggest that it is you who is full of it.
Perhaps you should talk to a wider range of restaurant staff. I'm sure that there are SOME places where the staff don't get all of the service charge but to suggest that it is normal and widespread is just plain wrong.
R,Harris....I don't believe you were born here and grew up here, your own words say not. If you grew up as a Belgian, you would not even think of any "15% service charge", let alone wonder where it goes. The price is the price and long may it remain so.
You also say that expats will get poorer service because it's known they don't tip, yet can you explain how, in my 18 years in Belgium living with the locals, I have NEVER seen one tip in all those years including LAST NIGHT?
The one who is full of it, R.Harris, is you.
Go back to the USA where you can feel real proud that your server is on starvation wages but you can get a warm fuzzy glow by allowing them to eat, at your discretion of course.
I also don't understand at all what R. Harris is talking about. Is "here" in fact Belgium?? I've lived in Belgium for over twenty years and I have never seen a restaurant bill that would have any mention of a 15 % service charge. The restaurant bills have the cost of each item, the total sum and that's it.
However In the UK I've many many times received a restaurant bill that mentions that a 12.5 % service charge has been automatically added.
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