I know that some American tourists actually do this, on giving servers cash tips as if they’re underpaid by their employer (since they’re used to it in the USA along with growing up with that mindset) but overlook the fact that servers are paid the minimum wage in the EU, as it’s not “typically” the norm. This practice is being exported it seems, in another region where that isn’t common.
Every European country has its own valid culture of tipping. Some consider tipping unfriendly or even hostile.
In Germany you used to gratify a special service or outstanding servers.
Sadly this gets americanized already.
How much are servers paid in Germany? Even if they received tips, is it tax free? I’ve watched a documentary where they discussed a waitress earning 2.13 USD per hour (I was like, WHAT THE FUCK! Are you for real! That’s more akin to a slave wage than a living one).
Depends on the business. We’ve got a ridiculous minimum wage of 13,90€ . Most honest restaurant collect the tips and split them, so even the cooking staff receives something.
For employees the tip is tax free. Businesses owner have to pay taxes.
With the most tips being payed via card (10-25% preselectable), I doubt that the staff sees any of it.
I’ve heard that in some American restaurants, the employer withholds the server’s entire tips (aka. owner robbing them of their money just to put in their own pockets) meaning the server gets nothing. That shit is illegal in the EU if one tries to pull that off.
It is illegal but common practice.