Tips

Spaniards tip too much - minister

In cases, tips make up half the product's value

Spaniards still have not fully got to grips with the value of the euro and often tip too much, according to Economy Minister Pedro Solbes.

Over-tipping had added to the sense among Spanish consumers that the cost of living is higher since the euro's introduction in 2002, he said.

"People haven't taken on board the value of a euro," Mr Solbes told a political rally in Madrid.
Spain's inflation is higher than other eurozone states - at 4.1% last month.

"I see people having a couple of coffees and calmly leaving a euro tip," Mr Solbes told a Socialist Party economic forum in the Spanish capital.

"That's 50% of the value of the product."

Before the euro hit the streets five years ago, leaving a 25 peseta tip was the norm. One euro was then worth 166 pesetas.

Do you agree with the minister? What's your opinion on tips? When and who do you tip? How much do you tip?

Comments

José said…
Hi Graham,



I think that we have talked about this topic. Anyway, you know I don’t agree with tip. It’s certain that tip is necessary to workers in some countries because it’s part of his salary, like the United States of America. However, it’s very sad people have to depend on the generosity of others.

If you work, you have the right to earn a decent salary. A lot of companies are infringing the article 23 of the Universal Statement of Human Rights which recognizes this right to everyone.



It’s true that Spaniards hadn’t on board the value of a euro in the beginning stage of the euro. I agree with Minister Solbes in this theme. Spanish people had not fully got to grips with the value of the euro, but I see that some people give often tip too much when there are friends or family who are looking at them. It seems that they could show off it.



No way, I’m reviewing people who give tip or enough tip, absolutely, I only make a comment about tip.



See you.
Graham said…
Hello José,

I pay close attention to how much Spaniards tip and I am often shocked at how little they leave. I don't want to appear stingy and if I like the service, I don't mind paying a generous tip. On the other hand, I would not give anything to a rude waiter.

It may have been difficult to adapt to the Euro, but Spaniards were never so confused that they left a euro as a tip for a coffee.


I think that we have talked about this topic. Anyway, you know I don’t agree with tips. It’s certain that tips are necessary to workers in some countries because it’s part of their salary, like the United States of America. However, it’s very sad people have to depend on the generosity of others.

If you work, you have the right to earn a decent salary. A lot of companies are infringing article 23 of the Universal Statement of Human Rights which recognizes this right to everyone.

It’s true that Spaniards hadn’t taken on board the value of a euro in the beginning stage of the euro. I agree with Minister Solbes on this subject. Spanish people had not fully got to grips with the value of the euro, but I see that some people often tip too much when there are friends or family who are looking at them. It seems that they are showing off.

I am in now way reviewing people who give tips or generous tips, absolutely, I am only making a comment about tips themselves.

Graham said…
typo!

I am in no way reviewing...