after spending a summer in europe i understand the importance of tipping

[EuphoriaPL]

service is such complete sh*t there.

was studying abroad in barcelona for ~1.5 months
traveled to amsterdam, prague, and rome/amalfi coast in italy
dined in all types of places, from cheap to finer/fancier establishments

average experience looked like this:
sit down, at least 15 min before i get asked what i want to drink
10+ min for drinks to come, bitch runs away before i get a chance to order
finally comes to take our order
wait on average 25+ min for food to come (this is normally more acceptable but not when its already been nearly half an hour. i had times where it was 40+ min. brb sitting for 1hr in restaurant and still didnt start eating).
finish eating. waiter never to be found to ask for check. have to hunt down every damn time. once i ask, its another 15-20 min waiting.

also brb have to pay for water everywhere. have to pay for bread in most places unlike in US. also rarely were sides included in entree price (ex. i order grilled chicken and i got nothing more on that plate than a piece of meat and half a lemon with a leaf or some chit. potatoes/fries/salad/etc. was almost always extra)


if you want absolutely anything then you need to be on the prowl for when waiter passes by or hunt him/her down. even if they pass by then rarely if ever was i asked if things are ok/if i need something.

oh and portion sizes especially in spain are poverty as fuk. brb paella with like 4 shrimp and a few mussels in there. after a while i started ordering two entrees at places and they would look at me like im crazy. in rome i was eating at what looked like a very decent place, i order lasagna and grilled chicken at the same time. experience went mostly as described above. finished lasagna and was waiting no joke 35 fuking minutes before i got my poverty 5oz of chicken breast. inhaled that **** and left asap since i had tons of more shiet to see.

quality/taste wise though food is way better in europe though, ESPECIALLY italy. pasta, pizza, and seafood was hnnngggg/10

/rant

cliffs:
service in europe takes their absolute sweet as time everywhere
portions are poverty as fuk

[mihai2011rom]

I can confirm. I am Romanian.

[adamsz]

B-b-but, they should get a real job!

Miscers are fukin retarded.

No tips = terrible service generally as OP noted.

It only works well if the culture/technology permits it. When I lived in Japan a lot of restaurants had a buzzer thing on your table that would call the waiter over for you. If it didn't, you basically tell "excuse me!" But it's culturally acceptable there.

in the US tips = better service = more enjoyable experience. Don't like it? Don't go to a sit down restaurant with waiters.

[Klc123]

Probably because you're a yank (srs)
Europeans can't stand yanks, especially spaniards.

I never have service problems. Been to America multiple times and on a few occasions the service was the worst I've ever experienced in my life, and I've been to places like Egypt an turkey...

[LordBroski]

Lmao that's because Western culture sucks and you're all ungrateful fuks who don't take pride in your jobs and want money handed to you for everything.

In Japan there's no tipping and I received the best service of my life at every restaurant. People there also earn effectively less than they would here, and their cost of living is much higher.

[Azrairc]

funny thing is I went to a club last week and these sloot bartender started freaking on me because i didn't tip

*hands over $5 for crappy light beer literally takes no effort from her"

give her $5

She waves her hands up and says "I've got rent, bills, to pay. All the people here are from Europe and don't tip $1 tips make a difference"

stunned I bert stared her and though about either throwing the can down or handing her my last dollar... so i handed her the dollar and rolled my eyes

left and felt like... wow what a b1tch i shouldn't of tipped her.. brb nobody forced you to be some poverty bar tender.. thinking about calling management to complain (Srs)

[Dust]

I dont understand why you need to tip for someone to do their job properly

[jakedafake]

funny thing is I went to a club last week and these sloot bartender started freaking on me because i didn't tip

*hands over $5 for crappy light beer literally takes no effort from her"

give her $5

She waves her hands up and says "I've got rent, bills, to pay. All the people here are from Europe and don't tip $1 tips make a difference"

stunned I bert stared her and though about either throwing the can down or handing her my last dollar... so i handed her the dollar and rolled my eyes

left and felt like... wow what a b1tch i shouldn't of tipped her.. brb nobody forced you to be some poverty bar tender.. thinking about calling management to complain (Srs)

fukin entitled sloot

[turbjuo]

it has nothing to do with tipping. it has everything to do with the cultural differences regarding work ethics and other aspects.
in america it is frowned upon (cept for the millions of ghetto welfare communists) not getting a job and working ur ass off to get places in life.
in most parts of europe, the countries are knee deep in socialism and welfare handouts, and people arent encouraged as much to actually do ur job well.
the mentality is start working around 10, take a 2 hour break between 14-16 and get off work at around 18.

nothing to do with tipping.

[Azzurri]

When ever my family visits from Italy they always say how awesome our service is here and how nice we are. They're stunned how we get free chit if it takes to long or they mess up. That would not ot happen in Italy.

[woodsmash]

Can confirm, I also got chit service while I was travelling Europe. Waited 10 minutes just to get a glass of coke while at a restaurant. I did get great service sometimes though, but I experienced unenthusiastic service a lot.

But I don't think it's matter of tipping, not for the most part at least. From what I've gathered it's not necessarily in their culture to go out of their way and provide service with a smile like you would expect in western countries. In Australia we don't tip and I get excellent service. That said though, I found people the Dutch locals to be very polite.

[SadBoys]

Probably because you're a yank (srs)
Europeans can't stand yanks, especially spaniards.

I never have service problems. Been to America multiple times and on a few occasions the service was the worst I've ever experienced in my life, and I've been to places like Egypt an turkey...

This, we don't really like Americans around here. I always receive top notch service, wherever I go in Europe. Also, about portions, if you think European portions are small, you should head to Indonesia next time, I was eating 2 menus made for 2 people all by myself there. Everything is kid sized

[canuck604]

In Germany its a bit different though...

I like it because servers are not always in your face.. brb asking how the food is and if you need anything when you have a mouth full ugh..that and when families go out to the local beer garden they probably spend like 3 hours there talking and eating. unlike in America where you rush in and out.

You just have to call the person over when you are ready.. or go up to the bar / counter and order.

THIS. The main thing you Yanks have to understand is that eating in Europe is a social occasion that takes time. Service seems slow because they allow you to mind your own business and enjoy the company of your friends.

If you are eating quite a bit, the courses are served separately with breaks in between so that you can chat with your table, share some laughs, and take your time to enjoy the experience. They don't deliver the bill right away because they're not trying to rush you out of the restaurant to herd in more customers right away. They let you TAKE YOUR TIME.

Oh and to answer the OP, those small dishes in Spain are called "Tapas." They are similar to appetizers and the point is to order different ones so you can sample a variety of dishes.

Do you even culture?

[Caesarthetics]

Oh, on behalf of Europe I apologise for offering you poverty meals. On the other hand, now you might know why your country is full of morbidly obese people, you guys just eat a chitload of food.

[surf junkie]

Try to enjoy and be curious at te different aspects of culture.

Personally I agree I like service to be hasta pronto.


But I can appreciate when people do things differently and when I am a 'guest' in the culture.

Keep your mouth shut about complaints and "where I'm from, we ..." type comments.

And ultimately if you think it sucked, let them know, let others know, and vote with your wallet, go elsewhere.


If I get crap service, I generally order a few rounds of free water, while we are deciding where to go next.

[5htp]

Have to say I was shocked at how good customer service was when I first went to the states. It felt like every waitress wanted my D, smiling seductively, winking, staring at me longingly while holding their pen in their mouths, saying stuff like "You got it mister! " when I asked for the no mayo etc. Meanwhile in the UK, you try asking for no mayo and you'll just get a "I don't fukin fink so m8" if you're lucky. Ok that's an exaggeration but they do look genuinely pissed off if you make any kind of atypical request here.

[TrapsOfJustice]

THIS. The main thing you Yanks have to understand is that eating in Europe is a social occasion that takes time. Service seems slow because they allow you to mind your own business and enjoy the company of your friends.

If you are eating quite a bit, the courses are served separately with breaks in between so that you can chat with your table, share some laughs, and take your time to enjoy the experience. They don't deliver the bill right away because they're not trying to rush you out of the restaurant to herd in more customers right away. They let you TAKE YOUR TIME.

Oh and to answer the OP, those small dishes in Spain are called "Tapas." They are similar to appetizers and the point is to order different ones so you can sample a variety of dishes.

Do you even culture?

Lmao. European peasants have nothing better to do than spend 4 hours groveling over their poverty meals talking about redundant bores. Americans lead busy and productive lives you see. We have a world to run, excuse us if were in a bit of a hurry.

[Agent-X]

I don't believe in tipping. I really don't. I think it's a bad idea and messes with workers wages. As such, I believe the industries that hire the individuals should be giving the people higher wages. If a person goes into a job expecting tips, then that person goes into a job expecting comission. As someone has already mentioned, workers should not expect tips for doing the job they are supposed to do. If individuals are not giving good service, leave and never come back to that restaurant. It will fold.

[LordBroski]

THIS. The main thing you Yanks have to understand is that eating in Europe is a social occasion that takes time. Service seems slow because they allow you to mind your own business and enjoy the company of your friends.

If you are eating quite a bit, the courses are served separately with breaks in between so that you can chat with your table, share some laughs, and take your time to enjoy the experience. They don't deliver the bill right away because they're not trying to rush you out of the restaurant to herd in more customers right away. They let you TAKE YOUR TIME.

Oh and to answer the OP, those small dishes in Spain are called "Tapas." They are similar to appetizers and the point is to order different ones so you can sample a variety of dishes.

Do you even culture?

America is the anus of the Western world. All Americans think 'murica is #1 and choose to be completely ignorant of other cultures and judge them all on how they compare to 'murica, rather than being open-minded to new cultures and making an effort to understand them. Most travelers will tell you American tourists are usually not very well received and tend to be the most obnoxious, arrogant fuks out there.

I remember there was a travel thread on here filled with 'muricans bashing traveling because 'murica is #1 so what's the point of going abroad? lmao. Blind patriotism is engrained into their petty minds, which are home grown potatoes straight from Idaho.

yee haw grandma! brb, gonna shuv mah rifle up my sister's puss. nudda day in da trailer park.

[HumptyBrah]

THIS. The main thing you Yanks have to understand is that eating in Europe is a social occasion that takes time. Service seems slow because they allow you to mind your own business and enjoy the company of your friends.

If you are eating quite a bit, the courses are served separately with breaks in between so that you can chat with your table, share some laughs, and take your time to enjoy the experience. They don't deliver the bill right away because they're not trying to rush you out of the restaurant to herd in more customers right away. They let you TAKE YOUR TIME.

Oh and to answer the OP, those small dishes in Spain are called "Tapas." They are similar to appetizers and the point is to order different ones so you can sample a variety of dishes.

Do you even culture?

What a pretentious fuking post lol

[HumptyBrah]

America is the anus of the Western world. All Americans think 'murica is #1 and choose to be completely ignorant of other cultures and judge them all on how they compare to 'murica, rather than being open-minded to new cultures and making an effort to understand them. Most travelers will tell you American tourists are usually not very well received and tend to be the most obnoxious, arrogant fuks out there.

I remember there was a travel thread on here filled with 'muricans bashing traveling because 'murica is #1 so what's the point of going abroad? lmao. Blind patriotism is engrained into their petty minds, which are home grown potatoes straight from Idaho.

yee haw grandma! brb, gonna shuv mah rifle up my sister's puss. nudda day in da trailer park.

That was a really long way to say you're jelly af of America

"Vancouver Misc. Crew"

Can someone remind me where Vancouver is? I mean besides being somewhere irrelevant.

[cphustla]

Lmao. European peasants have nothing better to do than spend 4 hours groveling over their poverty meals talking about redundant bores. Americans lead busy and productive lives you see. We have a world to run, excuse us if were in a bit of a hurry.

The irony is that I am willing to bet the average American goes out for more meals than the average European. Home cooking is a thing of the past in America and its a shame. In Europe you do not go out to eat every day. So that's why when you do it, it a big occasion. You can also rush in and out if need be, the point is, it is at your pace.

Fast food is a lie too, brb drive 5-10mins to location, 5 min order, 5-10mins drive back. You can easily cook chicken, vegetables, and rice in that same time. Also the average person in this world is not doing some world changing work, so your point is irrelevant. Just enjoy your time here with good company.

And both Europeans and Americans spend a lot of time at the bar.. so ... 4 hours at the bar.... 4 hours enjoying a meal with good company.. who cares.

[ZBrahhh]

What a pretentious fuking post lol

Stats: 6'0", 326 lbs

[HumptyBrah]

Stats: 6'0", 326 lbs

Points refuted: 0

[SadBoys]

Lmao. European peasants have nothing better to do than spend 4 hours groveling over their poverty meals talking about redundant bores. Americans lead busy and productive lives you see. We have a world to run, excuse us if were in a bit of a hurry.

And then people like OP wonder why are they getting treated like trash outside of America

[HaymakerBrah]

weird, i've lived in europe for 19 years and this has never happened to me.

[canuck604]

Lmao. European peasants have nothing better to do than spend 4 hours groveling over their poverty meals talking about redundant bores. Americans lead busy and productive lives you see. We have a world to run, excuse us if were in a bit of a hurry.

You are worthless and in charge of nothing. You run nothing.

[adamsz]

strong phucking thread derail

the point of this thread is that tipping = better service compared to non-tipping

[iamachef1]

A) Europeans aren't in a hurry to head home and sit in front of television

B) Food is superior quality so of course portions are smaller. There is no such thing as taking a to go box home. You walk around the corner and buy fresh food the following morning not store crap away in fridge

[hardestgainer]

Damn that kinda sucks OP, but Im glad to hear about the food at least in Italy. Im doing a semester of study abroad in Florence, Italy at the beginning of next year.


Still really looking forward to it though and visiting other areas in Europe