Some visitors and foreigners in Paris take a “no-tip” approach to everything in Paris, based on the idea that service is included in the price listed on the menu. There are general rules, however, for those who want to be good customers, especially those who want to become regulars at neighborhood establishments.

Related
• 50 Ways to save time and money on your trip to Paris
• The top 25 Free things to do in Paris
• Simple ways to save on your Paris hotel 

Tipping in Paris

Before you lay down a tip everywhere you go, brush up on these tips to help you navigate tipping culture in Paris.

When NOT to tip:

In general, it is never wrong to tip, but some people just don’t expect it. Imagine if you left the dentist a few dollars after a mouth cleaning — it’s nice but also, let’s admit, kind of weird.

Cafés: A quick coffee and croissant at the local café may set you back €5, but there’s no need to drop an extra euro on the tip. The server isn’t working for tips, and his salary is consistent despite how many tables he or she gets.

Bars: Drinks at a bar are usually tip-free and bartenders rarely expect anything extra, which is good news for happy hour fans.

Clubs: At clubs, coat checks already cost a few euros, so tipping more is unnecessary. I can only imagine tipping the checkers in ritzy clubs that budget-seekers don’t frequent anyway.

In general, the less something costs, the less likely it is that a tip will be necessary. Leaving 15% on a coffee that only cost two euros seems like you were trying too hard.

Related: Paris: 10 money-saving tips for first time visitors

When TO tip:

Restaurants: When a server goes out of their way to explain the wine list in a cozy neighborhood restaurant or is exceedingly nice throughout the service, a small tip is absolutely deserved. You can leave up to five euros depending on the bill and expect a gracious “merci.”

Taxis: Taxi drivers usually expect a bit extra, understandably. Driving in Paris isn’t easy, and they will often be very helpful with luggage and shopping bags.

Tour Guides: Tour guides are not poorly paid, but those who go the extra mile to answer questions and make the visits enjoyable deserve to be tipped. Anyone in the service industry, familiar with foreigners, will often expect a tip, so have a few coins on hand.

Hotels: If a staff member helps to bring your bags up to your room, then you can offer a few euros in return. However, most of the hotels we stay at, we lug our own bags! You can also give a tip to a concierge for making reservations at a restaurant or helping you get tickets to a show. Check in at one of our favorite budget Paris hotels.

Salons: Hairdressers and barbers, especially if you want to become a regular without mangled bangs, appreciate a few extra euros.

Related: Our 8 favorite hotels in Paris under €80

Doubtful?

Not sure if the service was good? You spent two hours in a café and only bought two coffees? The taxi driver was a bit erratic driving down the Champs Elysées? When in doubt, just round up the bill, even if that means leaving just 50 centimes.

Although Parisians seem exceedingly proud, no one is going to refuse your tips if you offer it. Money speaks the same in any language!

Your tipping advice?

Got a tip for us? What has been your tipping experience in Paris? Tell us about it in the comments section.

The post Paris: When (and when not) to tip in Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While there are ways and means to enjoy cheap food and excursions, I’ve always been stunned at how much you can be charged for a simple haircut in the city. So if your tresses are in need of some TLC, be brave and check out these excellent value options.

Sassoon Academy

56 Brook Street
London, W1K 5NE
Website

If you’re after something cutting edge, then opt to be a model at the Sassoon Academy, and you’ll get high style at a fraction of the normal price. Appointments are taken from 9:30AM-1:30PM Monday to Friday at the luxurious Bond Street salon, and a cut and blow dry will set you back just £12, while a half head of highlights will cost £30. While your cut will be carried out by a trainee, they are always fully supervised. What’s more, contrary to model haircut horror stories – you will always get to choose what kind of look you want. Phew!

Hob Academy

Unit 38, 28 Jamestown Road
London, NW1 7BY
Website

Located in Camden Town, the Hob Academy is a well-respected training school that offers free haircuts and color from just £15 throughout the week. You need to be willing to let them decide on the kind of cut that will suit you, and then you’ll be set to work on by a qualified stylist under supervision from Hob’s creative team. To sign up, you need to register as a model and send some snaps of your hair as it is now.

Hari’s

Three locations:
Parsons Green (183 New Kings Road)
305 Brompton Road
233 Kings Road
Website

This famous institution offers free haircuts from junior staff on Mondays and Tuesdays at the Kings Road branch, and Mondays in Parsons Green. If it’s color you’re after, you can get a very discounted rate (from £25) at the Brompton Road salon. All services are carried out by third year trainees and, of course, are fully supervised. Plus, you’ll get to tell them what you want so the whole experience doesn’t have to be quite so nerve-racking!

TotalBarber

71 Leonard Street
London, EC2A 4QS
Website

One for the boys—the Total Barber academy, one of the capital’s most established barber training schools, offers free cuts and shaves from 10:30AM Monday to Friday. Located in trendy Shoreditch, they promise to give you the cut you want, but are also on hand to make suggestions if you’re not totally sure what kind of style to go for.

This international franchise that originated in the UK has been giving low cost cuts since 1963. Photo: ambernectar

Toni and Guy Academy

71-75 New Oxford Street
London, WC1A 1DGT
Website

This high profile salon has seen many a Londoner on a budget head through its doors over the years. Get you hair cut by a supervised trainee hairdresser from Monday to Friday at either 9:30AM or 13:45PM and pay just £5 for a cut or £20 for color—an absolute bargain when you take into account that normal color starts from around £90 and a cut will set you back £50.

The post London budget tips: How to get a cheap (or even free!) haircut appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

For example, approach a bar in Dublin and order a drink. The total will most likely not be an even amount, and when you are handed your change, put it all in your pocket. A bartender won’t expect a tip, and will think you’re an unknowing tourist if you leave your change on the bar.

Here’s a quick guide to tipping in Dublin: When to leave a little, when to leave a lot, and when to keep all your change. We’ll help you save enough on tips to order at least one more pint of Guinness…

When to Leave a Little Tip

The Pub: No trip to Dublin would be complete without spending some time in the pub. The most coveted seats are the ones in the snug–the small room usually near the entrance that is almost like your own little living room, separate from the rest of the bar.

If you’re lucky enough to have snagged the snug, you will most likely have table service. A waiter or waitress will take your order, clear empty glasses, and bring you fresh pints. While a tip at the bar for the bartender isn’t necessary, it is customary to tip when drinks are brought to you. Most locals leave coins or the change for a couple drinks, but if you have been served several rounds, you will want to leave between 5% and 10% of your total bill.

Taxi: Another instance of leaving a little is tipping in a taxi. While there are many buses, trams, and even a bike share system in Dublin, you might at one time or another choose to jump in a taxi. If so, simply round up to the next euro or two for a sufficient tip. (Read more in our article about Dublin transportation.)

When to Leave a Big Tip

Restaurants: The one instance where tipping is very customary is for your server in a restaurant. A good tip is 10% of your total bill. If a server was very good and you’re feeling very generous, you can round that up to 12%. The one time when it is appropriate to tip a bartender is if you’re sitting at the bar in a pub and eat a meal along with drinking a pint of Guinness.

Cheapos wanting to avoid tipping on meals should check out a variety of cafes and restaurants where you order at the counter, but still get to eat at a table. When you order at the counter and pay at the cashier, no tip is necessary.

Beauty salon: If you want to indulge in the luxury of a haircut or manicure during your visit to Dublin, keep in mind that customary tips for these services is between 10% and 15%.

When To Leave No Tip At All

At the bar: As mentioned above, when you order a drink in a pub (or even a round of drinks) no tip is necessary for the bartender. Unlike American bars where bartenders depend on tips for their income, a bar man in Dublin is paid a wage. This also means you might wait a little longer than expected for your drinks (remember a proper pint of Guinness takes a full three minutes to pour).

While you’re at it, use the change you receive from the bartender for bus fare. Dublin Bus only accepts an exact fare–and won’t give you change if you don’t have the correct coins and need to over-pay.

Also in our Dublin Guide: Preparing for a trip to Dublin? Our editors have visited, inspected and reviewed Dublin’s best cheap hotels, all centrally located, clean and budget-friendly.

The post Tipping in Dublin: When to leave a little, a lot, and nothing at all appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.