Tipping in Spain?

[Kruzkrazy]

Hello fellow cruisers,

DW and I will be on the Nov. 17 trans-Atlantic starting in Barcelona. Can anyone advise me on tipping customs in Spain? Specifically, for taxis and restaurants. Also, since our Spanish is essentially nonexistent, can  we expect hotel, restaurant and taxi personnel to be conversant in English?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

[Yorkshireoldlad]

With restaurants it may say “Servicio incluido”. If so service is included and no further tip is necessary. If it doesn’t say that, then some Spaniards will leave a tip, others will not. It’s entirely optional and you won’t be chased by the waiter if you don’t. 5% to 10% is fairly normal. For cafes, leave the change up to the next euro, or a euro, if you want.

taxis generally no tip, although if they help you with your luggage a couple of euros is good.

General point is tipping is more optional and relaxed and based on individuals perception of standard of service and whether they habitually tip or not. Spaniards get a good minimum wage, so service staff don’t depend on tips in the way a lot of US staff do.

[friendlyfifer]

I agree with everything in the comment above. However the cruise starts on 15 November in Barcelona not 17 November. I wouldn’t want you to miss the sail-away.

[Torquato]

In most restaurants, the price you see on the menu is the price you end up paying. Includes taxes and tips. Most people will leave a  small tip such as 5 euros on a 100 euro bill but there is no expectation that you should leave something.

[MikeyB]

4 hours ago, friendlyfifer said:

I agree with everything in the comment above. However the cruise starts on 15 November in Barcelona not 17 November. I wouldn’t want you to miss the sail-away.

The Viking Sky leaves on November 17th from Barcelona to Ft Lauderdale.

[friendlyfifer]

4 hours ago, MikeyB said:

The Viking Sky leaves on November 17th from Barcelona to Ft Lauderdale.

I see there are two TA cruises leaving from Barcelona, one on 15 November and one on 17 November. 

[CDNPolar]

10 hours ago, Torquato said:

In most restaurants, the price you see on the menu is the price you end up paying. Includes taxes and tips. Most people will leave a  small tip such as 5 euros on a 100 euro bill but there is no expectation that you should leave something.

 

It was our experience that if you are paying by CC then the server hands the machine to you and there is no option to add a tip as we have in North America. They simply process the total of the bill - which as stated can have a service charge included.  

 

This may or may not be Spain, but we have certainly experienced this in Europe many times and also in South America...

 

You may see a "place setting" charge on your bill and sometimes the bread comes after a question - "Do you want bread" or it just comes, and you will see a charge for bread.  It is nominal, but a charge none the less.

 

It is wise to check your bill carefully and question charges that you don't immediately know are taxes or food.