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Tipping

Tipping 2

 

There is no obligation to tip anybody in restaurants, cafés, bars, or hotels - or in establishments such as hairdressers. According to Swiss Federal law, all service charges are to be included in published prices - this was introduced in the early 1970s. Also, waiters are paid decent salaries, so do not depend on tips for their livelihood.

  • However, many people here in Switzerland still add a small tip. This is generally lower than the 10-20% expected in other countries, although in some of the larger cities – Zurich for example, more generous tips are quite common. If you are satisfied with your meal, feel free to round up the amount to the nearest five to ten francs. If you are really delighted with the service, or if you are in a larger group, add a little more. Your waiter has worked harder for you. This might be particularly good to know for those on holiday as obviously, travelling with your family or with friends, you tend to eat together. For a simple coffee or a beer, people here might add 50c to CHF 1 or so. Most Swiss will leave a tip in a restaurant where they are frequent customers.  
  • Your waiter will appreciate a tip left in cash on the table. If you have no cash and are paying by credit card, then add it to the charge as you might in the United States or the UK. Some waiters pool their tips, but this should make no difference to the amount you leave.
  • If you are dissatisfied with the service, feel free not to add anything and make a point of telling the manager. However, as with all criticism, make it constructive!
  • At the hairdresser's, tipping practice really varies by region and size of town. In a small place, leave CHF 4 as a minimum. In resorts and cities, leave CHF 10 or more. The same goes for treatment in spas.
  • For Americans  – the sales tax is included in ALL prices in Switzerland. You will not have this added to your bill. You will see an amount on a bill listed as TVA/MwSt. This is in fact the sales tax, but it reflects an amount already included and is not something to pay in addition