European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 8, 1959, Darmstadt, Hesse                                I i w tsp j of to i its 1 4." i the wayfarer s eternal quandary How much should i tip unfortunately there in t any Pat answer but Here Are some tested � ".1 a tips excuse it on what is expected of you in european countries a stars and stripes report t1pping was originally meant Asa voluntary gesture of appreciation. For services rendered. This alas is no longer so in Many places. Instead it has become mandatory pro rated and in Gen eral thoroughly confusing to Many Ameri cans travelling through Europe. First and Foremost it should be borne in mind that tipping is still essentially personal thing. Second that there exists in some places a double Standard on the part of to Pees by which americans Are expected to tip More generously than certain other nationals on the widely entertained Assumption that americans any americans Are the richest people Onearth but it All boils Down to the Persona element that some people can get away with tipping less by virtue of the impression they leave on the Tepee. It seven possible on occasion not to leave a lip at All providing the Tipper has Bee sufficiently gracious and pleasant in what Ever minor transaction has been  seasoned traveler advises when in doubt As to How much to tip i am always careful to leave what 1 estimate is too much rather than too Little. This makes me feel better As i am sure it does the person tipped. You should of course never allow yourself to feel obligated to tip More than you can  following is intended As an approx mute guide Only. For americans travelling or living in certain european areas. Be cause of innumerable factors such As the Quality of service received and your  of generosity or Lack of it you May be inclined to leave More or less than the amounts specified. Germany an average service charge of 10 to 15 per cent is added on the Bill to the Cost of meals and diners Are expected to leave change remaining to the next full Mark. Anything extra is at your option but most people do not leave More unless they have dined lavishly. Service charges Are also added to hotel ills but if you want a Little extra care you might tip the Bellhop on checking in and the Porter on checking out. Size of these tips anything from 50 pfennig to a  restaurants add 10, 15 and up to 22 per cent for service depending upon then category. The idea of leaving More is frowned upon by most frenchmen. Hotel service at least in the better hostels is also included in the Bill but you Are expected to add a bit More individually tothe chambermaid Bellhop or Porter who May have performed some extra service for you. Individual tipping of theater Ushers wine stewards and restroom attendants is likewise expected. These sums should Allbe modest equivalent amounts of Between 10 to 50 cents the largest tip going to the wine Steward at the conclusion of the meal. In Germany France and in fact ally european countries for taxi service it is h is to set the Overall Price before Start ing out if it s to be an extended trip. A Good Rule of thumb for never being overcharged at least to your own Satis fac lion is to Settle on the Overall Price of anything before ordering it. Many euro peans would never think of doing anything else although to Many americans tin idea is hard to get used to without feel ing cheap in the process Italy the same approximate rates Aad arrangements apply. If in doubt ask. It is not considered impolite or ignorant task whether service has been included in a Bill. Spain there Are about go pesetas tothe american Dollar and with service charges sometimes included and at other times omitted on Bills some discretion must be used. Maids and the concierge Are usually tipped about 10 pesetas taxi Drivers a minimum of 10 per  or Tungul same proportion As in Spain. England there Are no fixed rules or tariffs governed by Law on the practice of tipping in the us. It is left entirely to the discretion of the individual except in the Case of certain hotels where there is a fixed percentage added to the Bill to Takecare of tips. This is usually 10 per cent and is divided among the staff and no further tipping is necessary. Jew saturday August 8, 1959 the stars and St Pis Page. 11