Tipping in France: When and How Much
Know when to leave a tip in France, how much is normal, and what to say when you pay.
In France service is included in restaurant and café prices by law (« service compris »), and waiters earn a regular wage, so tipping is optional. People often round up or leave a few coins or a couple of euros for good service, usually in cash on the table or the saucer, since card machines rarely ask for a tip. Taxi drivers, hairdressers, delivery people and movers sometimes get a small tip too, but nobody expects 15 to 20 percent.
- 1
Ici, on laisse combien de pourboire ?
How much do people tip here?
- 2
Le pourboire n'est pas obligatoire en France.
Tipping isn't compulsory in France.
- 3
Le service est compris ?
Is service included?
- 4
Oui, le service est toujours compris.
Yes, service is always included.
- 5
En général, on laisse juste quelques pièces.
People usually just leave a few coins.
- 6
J'arrondis.
I'll round it up.
Tip: One verb, built on the French word for 'round'.
- 7
Gardez la monnaie.
Keep the change.
- 8
C'est pour vous.
That's for you.
- 9
Je peux ajouter un pourboire sur la carte ?
Can I add a tip to the card payment?
- 10
C'est plus simple de laisser du liquide.
It's easier to leave cash.
- 11
Le service était excellent.
The service was excellent.
- 12
Merci, c'est gentil.
Thanks, that's kind of you.
- 13
On donne un pourboire au chauffeur de taxi ?
Do you tip taxi drivers?
- 14
Un ou deux euros, ça suffit.
A euro or two is enough.
- 15
Je laisse quelque chose au coiffeur.
I leave something for the hairdresser.
- 16
On a donné un pourboire aux déménageurs.
We gave the movers a tip.
- 17
Aux États-Unis, c'est vingt pour cent !
In the US it's 20 percent!
- 18
Personne ne sera vexé.
Nobody will be offended.
- 19
On laisse quelque chose ?
Shall we leave something?
- 20
On partage l'addition.
We split the bill.