Knowing what
the local culture and customs demand of you is crucial while traveling to a
different nation.
One of these
things is proper tipping manners! In certain countries, like the USA, you are
required to do it and pay a predetermined portion of the total cost. In other
cultures, like Japan, trying to tip might even be seen as offensive! Knowing
what to do is crucial.
When, how much, and to what
extent are tips expected in Greece?
You can
learn about the dos and don'ts of Greek tipping customs from this guide. Enjoy
your trip the way the refined, polite natives do!
In Greece,
especially in the hospitality sector, tipping is a custom. It is a means of
expressing gratitude for excellent service.
It's advised
to keep some cash on hand for tips. Even though some businesses take credit
cards, it's simpler and more practical to tip in cash, especially when leaving
smaller amounts.
While
tipping is customary at dining venues, coffee shops, pubs, and hotels, it may
not be expected or required in other settings, such as fast food joints or
local boutiques.
It's always
courteous to vocally thank the service provider for their efforts and convey
your happiness with the service they delivered, regardless of whether you
decide to tip or not.
Respecting
local traditions will ensure that tourists have a nice experience everywhere
they go.
Social
studies claim that these behaviors demonstrate your regard for the populace,
which is frequently reciprocated. Without respect for one another, no nation
could grow to be a thriving and popular tourism destination.
Think about
the practice of leaving tips for products and services. If Greece has a tipping
tradition, you should follow it. Like tour guides, many workers rely on
gratuities to supplement their pay.
It might be
difficult to pinpoint the culture of tipping. For instance, whereas gratuities
are expected in American restaurants, they would be considered rude in Japanese
eateries. Here's everything you need to know about tipping in Greece to avoid
any social hiccups.
Consider
this your go-to guide for Greece tipping to help you out of tight spots.
Consider it a "get out of jail free" card in the form of more cash.
Is Tipping Common in
Greece?
Greece has a
more flexible social stance about tips, but if you do leave one, make it
worthwhile. The only reason tourism exists is because volunteers and workers
put in countless hours to make sure you have the best time possible.
Even though
it is not required, adding a gratuity would be quite nice and culturally
appropriate.
Even a
little tip placed in the tip jar or a few pennies given to the wait staff
together with the total bill for the table service at one of the Greek
restaurants are always appreciated by the employees.
Always leave a euro tip
Avoid
placing coins from other currencies on the table since your servers could find
it difficult to swap or utilize them.
Either tip
in euros only or not at all. Also, keep in mind that it can be difficult to
convince individuals to add a tip to your credit card payment as this is quite
rare and foreign in Greece.
How to tip in restaurants
During peak
season, working in a Greek restaurant is an extremely demanding profession with
little time for breaks or recuperation. Although they are paid very little,
waiters at Greek restaurants—from historic tavernas to more hip, contemporary
spots—have strong work ethics.
Despite
this, you are not required to tip and you won't be prompted to do so.
As a 'good
job' and 'thank you' gesture to your waitress, it is normal to leave a gratuity
anyway, at your own discretion. Don't worry about working out percentages; in
Greece, tipping is as simple as dropping a few pennies on the table together
with your bill as you leave.
When you
don't want to leave cash on the table, another approach to tip is to request
that your waitress keep the change from the bill (don't worry, everyone does
this! Only your server will handle them.
50 cents to
one euro makes up a tiny gratuity. A two-euro coin would be a better, more
significant gratuity. Anything more than that is seen as a large tip.
No matter
how much they spend, Greeks often leave a couple of euros as a tip. If they are
really happy, they may occasionally tip as much as five or ten euros, although
it is uncommon and exceptional.
Tips for giving in pubs and
clubs
According to
the institution. Normally, you are not expected to tip the bartender if you
have to go buy your own drink. If you still insist on doing so, you can either
round up the cost of your drink or request that the bartender keep the change.
What applies
to tipping at restaurants also applies if you have a server and your beverages
are given to you. Keep in mind that leaving a few cents with the bill as you
leave is considered courteous if you are seated at a table being served.
🔘 Read More: How should we give tips in the spa?
Leaving a tip in hotels
Once more,
you are not obligated or expected to tip anyone at the hotel where you are
staying. However, it is regarded as being nice and will probably pay off with
the personnel!
The porter
who transports your stuff to your room and to your car should get a gratuity of
between one and two euros.
The money
will be left on your bedside table if you leave a tip for the cleaning staff,
albeit in certain places it might not be seen as one. Ask the concierge how
much to tip your cleaning service if you want to be sure because this
fluctuates.
Greek custom of tipping
housekeeping workers
In Greece,
tipping the housekeeping crew is not customary, although it is always
appreciated. Leave the spare change you have at the conclusion of your journey
together with a brief thank you message for the hotel personnel as one kind
gesture.
Of course,
leaving coins with very little value would be impolite. However, it is typical
to discover at the conclusion of a vacation abroad that you still have a lot of
coins in the local currency that you won't be able to use or convert.
I'll greatly
appreciate those €6–7. Additionally, you might want to think about leaving a
gratuity for any other hotel guests you speak with.
A €1 tip is
appropriate if room service is delivered to your space. Think about leaving a
couple of euros as a tip if a porter helps you carry your belongings up the
steps.
Taxi tipping guidelines
In general,
taxi drivers do not anticipate tips. However, you may round up the amount or
instruct your driver to save the change if you want to give them a tip for the
pleasant trip and potential excellent conversation (taxi drivers are infamous
for chit-chatting with their passengers!).
In most
cases, leaving a gratuity is not requested if you pay with a credit card. You
might, however, request that the driver add an additional euro to the charge on
your card, although this is unusual and never anticipated.
How much to provide a tour
guide
In general,
tipping your tour guide is not required. However, if you had a great time and
want to repeat the experience, think about adding a 10-15% gratuity to the
tour's cost.
Typically,
tourists give their tour guides between 2 and 5 euros per person, or as much as
15 or 20 euros for private trips.
How much to tip your
hairstylist
A 5 euro tip
would be greatly appreciated if you are pleased with your new appearance. If
you are in a salon with many hairdressers, you can leave it with the cashier
for the hairdresser or drop it in their pocket as you leave (or leave it on
their salon booth).
Once more,
even when you are pleased with the service, you are not required to leave a
tip.
Being kind and saying
"thank you" are more suggestions
Tipping is
greatly appreciated, especially in light of the financial hardship Greeks have
endured for the previous ten years. However, appreciation is the true form of
money here.
Even if you
choose not to leave a tip, being kind to your server and using words like
"thank you" and "please" as well as smiling and
acknowledging them will go a long way.
Despite
this, the most you can do is be kind, and grateful, and leave a little tip to
establish yourself as a valued, ideal customer.
How and when to tip
In Greece,
leaving a tip is a sign of appreciation, much as being kind to your waitress.
It also qualifies as praise.
When the
service has been excellent, you are supposed to tip. When service has been
great or very satisfying to you, you are supposed to leave a larger tip.
You are not
required to leave a tip if you are unhappy with the service. For instance, if
you wish to criticize the service but also tip the server, this might work
against you since it makes it appear as though you are not honest in your
complaints.
Overall,
tipping is regarded as symbolic and has a laid-back attitude. You tip when you
are happy or appreciate the effort that went into your experience, and the
amount is small and ultimately up to you.
Greek Tipping Practices for
Takeout Food Delivery
In Greece,
especially in large cities like Athens and Thessaloniki, using services like
Wolt and Efood is tremendously handy because the majority of restaurants will
deliver to your house or hotel this way.
You may add
a tip to your online food purchase, but we advise delaying it until you can tip
your delivery person in person.
One Euro is
a good tip if you only ordered a few coffees or took out for two people. If you
order meals with a bigger party, 3–4 Euros is a decent price.
Conclusion
Don't worry
if you frequently lack the money but still want to appreciate the waiter's
effort.
Use our app
for cashless tipping to track tips using our electronic tipping system for
servers. A digital tipping app's simplicity will benefit you.
Using this
app, which takes payments other than cash, you may tip. The good news is that
you may use this electronic tip software on both iPhones and Android
smartphones, independent of the operating system of the device.