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> In Europe, it's still common to give a small tip. No, it’s not. Europe is more than one country, and there are local differences. And even in several places

> In Europe, it's still common to give a small tip. No, it’s not. Europe is more than one country, and there are local differences. And even in several places where it is common, nobody is going to be upset if you don’t tip, because they have their salary regardless. > The other thing that's MUCH better about Japan vs. Europe is that water is free. In Europe, if you want any drink with your meal at all, you have to ask for it, and if you ask for water, they'll bring a fancy glass bottle of very expensive bottled water. Depends on the country, I assume, but in most of those I know they are happy to bring you some tap water. In France, they are required by law to offer tap water for free but IIRC that’s not the case in the Netherlands or Germany, for example. So generalisations are not helpful.

barrotes 3y ago
I was specifically thinking of France, and how you just have to ask for "une carafe d'eau", to get free water at restaurant. In most parts of Italy, especially in the south, you usually get free water at the bar, if you are ordering something else, and even if you don't order anything (just ask it kindly).
qwytw 3y ago
> I assume, but in most of those I know they are happy to bring you some tap water I find it very annoying that even have to ask. Especially when in many places they'd just bring you a €3-4 tiny glass bottle (which IMHO might be the most idiotic consumer product to ever exist) if you just asked for water. You have to explicitly ask for tap, which is just awkward so way to often I just end up ordering a beer.. which is not ideal either.
221qqwe 3y ago
> because they have their salary regardless. To be fair that's also the case in New York, California and some other states (and minimum wage in these states is higher than in pretty much any European country).

barrotes 3y ago

I was specifically thinking of France, and how you just have to ask for "une carafe d'eau", to get free water at restaurant. In most parts of Italy, especially in the south, you usually get free water at the bar, if you are ordering something else, and even if you don't order anything (just ask it kindly).

qwytw 3y ago

> I assume, but in most of those I know they are happy to bring you some tap water I find it very annoying that even have to ask. Especially when in many places they'd just bring you a €3-4 tiny glass bottle (which IMHO might be the most idiotic consumer product to ever exist) if you just asked for water. You have to explicitly ask for tap, which is just awkward so way to often I just end up ordering a beer.. which is not ideal either.

221qqwe 3y ago

> because they have their salary regardless. To be fair that's also the case in New York, California and some other states (and minimum wage in these states is higher than in pretty much any European country).