Tips on tipping in France.

The most frequent question I am asked about dining in France is "What about tipping?"

Here are the basics:

You are not required to tip. A 15% service fee is automatically included in all bars,  cafés, and restaurants. Servers in France do not live off of tips. They get paid vacations, health care, and living wages.

A service charge is almost always added to your bill. Depending on the service, it’s sometimes appropriate to leave an additional 5 to 10%. The menu will usually note that service is included (service compris). Sometimes this is abbreviated with the letters s.c. The letters s.n.c. stand for service non compris; this means that the service is not included in the price, and you must leave a tip. You’ll sometimes find couvert or cover charge on your menu (a small charge just for placing your butt at the table). 

Don’t ever call the waiter “garçon.” Though sometimes in bars a Parisian will use this word, travelers should never use it.

Ordering a taxi in Paris just got easier.

G7 taxi (which has good service in general) has an online app for ordering a taxi, whether immediately or in advance. 

http://www.taxisg7.com/reservation-taxi-internet-mobile-iphone?tg7=5cd444ddf27570dae71038a93b06754e

(Click on the "Discover the iPhone application" button for a video - you can even choose a "green" taxi or a "low floor" taxi, etc.) If you order a taxi for immediate pickup, the app will tell you how long it will be before your taxi arrives.

G7 is now also offering shared taxi rides to and from the airport for a discount price.