人生的風景
走走看看: 走光明的道路, 看美好的風景, 過幸福的生活.
下麵這篇文章是 Rick Steves 在LA Times上發表的，關於如何在歐洲給小費的建議。
實際上，出門旅行，總是會碰上類似的問題。兩個原則：一是跟著感覺走，自己心安就好，不要嘀嘀咕咕；二是入鄉隨俗，看當地人如何做，跟著做就是了。
具體到在餐館吃飯付小費，美國，歐洲，亞洲，非洲，都有很大不同。
首先，美國的餐館服務員，小費是其收入的主要來源。特別是很多中餐館，侍者的基本工資很少（我曾聽說過，每天隻有五美金，是每天，不是每小時），收入主要靠小費。所以，在餐館吃飯，15%-20%的小費是必須的。
在歐洲，餐館服務員的薪水是很好的，由老板付給雇員，小費隻是一些額外收入。這與美國的文化與國情有很大區別。如果服務很好，客人滿意，在餐費之外，多付一點小費表示謝意。但是沒有一定之規，或者需要什麽百分比。侍者本來也沒有期望小費，特別是對當地人。
在非洲和亞洲也是相同的。君不見在中國大陸或台灣的當地餐館吃飯，誰付小費？當然涉外餐館，或高檔餐館除外。
但是，為什麽有是否付小費的顧慮呢？
其中部分原因是美國人到世界各地旅遊，把美國的小費習慣帶到其他地方。人都是有“貪心”的，當看到可以有額外收入時，久而久之，就開始對小費有期望了，特別是對於美國人。
可以想象，餐館的侍者麵對本地人，可能沒有期望小費。但是，如果顧客是美國人，或者操持美國口音英文的亞裔，侍者也許就期盼著“美國”人的小費。
很多到埃及旅遊的國人，都曾經曆過埃及人要清涼油的事情，而且“清涼油”的發音純正。為什麽？
因為曾經有國人去那裏，帶了清涼油，並送給當地人。不管是什麽原因或緣故，結果是埃及人見了中國人就伸手要清涼油。而且，埃及人絕不會衝著本地人，或其他國家的人要清涼油。
同樣的道理，因為很多美國人到歐洲，習慣性的付給餐館侍者小費。而後那些曾經接待過這樣做的美國人的餐館，就開始期盼其他的來自美國的遊客，也會同樣的付小費。
而那些沒有遊客的當地餐館，還是遵循著沒有受到美國遊客影響的傳統。當我們在歐洲自駕遊時，會路過很多小城鎮，小村莊，會在純粹的當地餐館吃飯，看到純粹當地人的習慣。這與旅遊城市，或者與旅遊相關的餐館，還是有很大區別的。
在1950-70年代，美國國力強大，美國人到國外也財大氣粗，趾高氣揚，不免把自己的文化與習慣傳到國外。其他國家也不免受到了美國文化的影響，包括小費文化。
某些國家，曾居住生活的美國人越多，美國遊客越多，特別是美國駐軍及其家屬越多，所受美國小費文化的影響也就越多。逼入德國受美國的影響肯定比法國多，因為美國在德國駐軍很多，也有很長的曆史。
最後，如何付小費，看自己的感覺吧。如有預算充足，而且對服務滿意，可以多付一些。如果預算不富裕，或者對服務不太滿意，可以少付甚至不付。
當然了，每個人都有自己的情況，自己的想法，不論如何做都有自己的理由和解釋，不必強求一致，心安就好。
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More for your money: Some tips on tipping in Europe
http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-money-20140831-story.html
by Rick Steves
Tipping for service overseas is a much more laid back affair than in the U.S. Here's a few suggestions.
U.S.-style tipping for service overseas is often unnecessary if not culturally ignorant. Here's how it's done.
Restaurant tips are more modest in Europe than in America. In most places, 10% is a big tip. Please believe me — tipping 15% or 20% in Europe is unnecessary, if not culturally ignorant.
Virtually anywhere in Europe, you can do as the Europeans do and (if you're pleased with the service) add a euro or two for each person in your party. In very touristy areas, some servers have noticed the American obsession with overtipping — and might hope for a Yankee-size tip.
But the good news is that European servers and diners are far more laid-back about all this than we are. The stakes are low, and it's no big deal if you choose the "wrong" amount. And note that tipping is an issue only at restaurants that have waiters and waitresses. If you order your food at a counter, don't tip.
In Mediterranean countries, the "service charge" (servizio in Italian, service in French, servicio in Spanish) can be handled in different ways. Sometimes the menu will note that the service is included (servizio incluso), meaning that the prices listed on the menu already have this charge built in.
When the service is not included (servizio non incluso), the service charge might show up as a separate line item at the end of your bill.
Of course, each country has its own quirks when it comes to tipping. In Germanic countries, it's considered discreet and classy to say the total number of euros you'd like the waiter to keep (including his tip) when paying. So, if the bill is 41 euros, hand him 50 while saying, "45." You'll get 5 euros back and feel pretty European.
In Prague and most places in the Czech Republic, your bill will state — in English — whether service is included. In most cases it's not, so round up the bill by adding 5%-10% and paying in cash. Speaking just a few Czech words will get you better service (if you greet your waiter in English, he'll want a 15% tip).
In London, many restaurants list a 12.5% "optional" tip on the bill, but you should tip only what you feel the service warrants.
Servers prefer to be tipped in cash even if you pay with your credit card (otherwise the tip may never reach your server); in many cases, there isn't even a line on the credit-card receipt for a tip.
Americans frequently worry about tipping cabbies. It's simple: For a typical cab ride, round up to the next euro on the fare (to pay a 13 euro fare, give 14 euros); for a long ride, to the nearest 10 (for a 76 euro fare, give 80 euros). If you feel like you're being driven in circles or otherwise ripped off, skip the tip.
Tipping for special service is optional. Guides who give talks at public sights or on bus tours often hold out their hands for tips after they give their spiel. If I've already paid for the tour or admission to the sight, I don't tip extra (but if you want to tip, a euro or two is enough). In general, if someone in the service industry does a super job for you, a tip of a couple of euros is appropriate ... but not required.
Steves writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio.
