人生的风景
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下面这篇文章是 Rick Steves 在LA Times上发表的，关于如何在欧洲给小费的建议。
实际上，出门旅行，总是会碰上类似的问题。两个原则：一是跟着感觉走，自己心安就好，不要嘀嘀咕咕；二是入乡随俗，看当地人如何做，跟着做就是了。
具体到在餐馆吃饭付小费，美国，欧洲，亚洲，非洲，都有很大不同。
首先，美国的餐馆服务员，小费是其收入的主要来源。特别是很多中餐馆，侍者的基本工资很少（我曾听说过，每天只有五美金，是每天，不是每小时），收入主要靠小费。所以，在餐馆吃饭，15%-20%的小费是必须的。
在欧洲，餐馆服务员的薪水是很好的，由老板付给雇员，小费只是一些额外收入。这与美国的文化与国情有很大区别。如果服务很好，客人满意，在餐费之外，多付一点小费表示谢意。但是没有一定之规，或者需要什么百分比。侍者本来也没有期望小费，特别是对当地人。
在非洲和亚洲也是相同的。君不见在中国大陆或台湾的当地餐馆吃饭，谁付小费？当然涉外餐馆，或高档餐馆除外。
但是，为什么有是否付小费的顾虑呢？
其中部分原因是美国人到世界各地旅游，把美国的小费习惯带到其他地方。人都是有“贪心”的，当看到可以有额外收入时，久而久之，就开始对小费有期望了，特别是对于美国人。
可以想象，餐馆的侍者面对本地人，可能没有期望小费。但是，如果顾客是美国人，或者操持美国口音英文的亚裔，侍者也许就期盼着“美国”人的小费。
很多到埃及旅游的国人，都曾经历过埃及人要清凉油的事情，而且“清凉油”的发音纯正。为什么？
因为曾经有国人去那里，带了清凉油，并送给当地人。不管是什么原因或缘故，结果是埃及人见了中国人就伸手要清凉油。而且，埃及人绝不会冲着本地人，或其他国家的人要清凉油。
同样的道理，因为很多美国人到欧洲，习惯性的付给餐馆侍者小费。而后那些曾经接待过这样做的美国人的餐馆，就开始期盼其他的来自美国的游客，也会同样的付小费。
而那些没有游客的当地餐馆，还是遵循着没有受到美国游客影响的传统。当我们在欧洲自驾游时，会路过很多小城镇，小村庄，会在纯粹的当地餐馆吃饭，看到纯粹当地人的习惯。这与旅游城市，或者与旅游相关的餐馆，还是有很大区别的。
在1950-70年代，美国国力强大，美国人到国外也财大气粗，趾高气扬，不免把自己的文化与习惯传到国外。其他国家也不免受到了美国文化的影响，包括小费文化。
某些国家，曾居住生活的美国人越多，美国游客越多，特别是美国驻军及其家属越多，所受美国小费文化的影响也就越多。逼入德国受美国的影响肯定比法国多，因为美国在德国驻军很多，也有很长的历史。
最后，如何付小费，看自己的感觉吧。如有预算充足，而且对服务满意，可以多付一些。如果预算不富裕，或者对服务不太满意，可以少付甚至不付。
当然了，每个人都有自己的情况，自己的想法，不论如何做都有自己的理由和解释，不必强求一致，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.
