Vacation shock: almost 185 euros tip for a family vacation!

Vacation shock: almost 185 euros tip for a family vacation!

Sometimes things can go very wrong, even when you just want to reward good service. One author recently experienced that tipping isn't always easy to manage. On vacation in Italy, where his family was staying in a three-quarter board hotel, he wanted to give little things to the waiters and cleaning staff. The hotel offered plenty of breakfast, afternoon meals and dinner, which made his stay a lot nicer. It was natural for him to tip a little more than 20 euros to express his satisfaction. But when he asked the front desk about the tip, he was suddenly faced with the option of leaving 5 or even 10 percent of the total amount. And that meant an impressive 185 or 370 euros! The amount seemed a bit outrageous to him, and after some consideration he decided to stick with a more modest amount of 20 euros. [Nordkurier].

But why are there so many fluctuations in tips? Is the tipping culture changing? A current Lightspeed study took a close look at tipping behavior in Germany. In fact, despite inflation and increasing technological developments, willingness to tip remains remarkably high. Around 49 percent of those surveyed tip between 5 and 10 percent for good service and only 4 percent forego it altogether - the lowest figure in Europe. This means that the majority of Germans still seem to have a good knack for this small recognition. Gastrotel emphasizes that this trend also exists regardless of the economic situation.

Tip between tradition and change

However, as the Lightspeed study shows, there are some interesting trends: 18 percent of respondents tip between 10 and 15 percent, with 37 percent fewer than last year saying they are willing to give more. In 2024, a majority of 58 percent were in favor of abolishing tipping, while this number has fallen to just 18 percent in 2025. The disappearance of this tradition is due to advancing digitalization. More and more people are feeling pressured by preset tipping options on card terminals. In fact, 25 percent of respondents said these options affect the amount they tip.

Tipping behavior also shows an interesting regional shift. Tips are most often given when food is delivered (57 percent) and when visiting a café (32 percent). But when it comes to complicated bills where guests have to split the money, 37 percent of them have even foregone tips. Combined with technological developments, this could mean that many food service operators should consider flexible tipping options to make the decision easier for their guests.

In summary, although the tipping culture is changing, it still reflects a high level of appreciation and gratitude. The anecdote from the author's Italian vacation is an example of how quickly misunderstandings arise when it comes to this small but often soulful gesture. In any case, the willingness to pull out your wallet remains unbroken - even if you occasionally get into a lurch.