For any future visitors, one immediate difference that you’ll notice between the U.S. and Switzerland involves taxes and tipping when you go out for a meal. Unlike with the U.S., tax and tip are included in menu prices here. Thus, if your food and drinks add up to CHF 30, then that’s what you pay. Though the total amount includes the same things in both places (i.e., tax and tip), I have to say that I really like just seeing a price on the menu and paying it.
One might think that this would lead to poor service in Switzerland as the incentive associated with performance-based tips is gone. However, thus far I’ve found this not to be the case fortunately. Supposedly, service industry employees here are paid well from a base salary perspective and thus are motivated to provide a high level of service without the need to earn tips (at least tips beyond those already included in the prices).
During my first week in Switzerland, I definitely wasn’t familiar with the concept of service compris. Thus I effectively became the preferred patron of Lausanne dining establishments given my tipping on top of the tip that was already included in my bills. (As you can imagine, none of the service staff decided to fill me in on this.)
On a related note, tax is included in the price of all purchases that you make in Switzerland. I really like this as it’s nice to just see something and know exactly what you’re going to pay at the register.
One might think that this would lead to poor service in Switzerland as the incentive associated with performance-based tips is gone. However, thus far I’ve found this not to be the case fortunately. Supposedly, service industry employees here are paid well from a base salary perspective and thus are motivated to provide a high level of service without the need to earn tips (at least tips beyond those already included in the prices).
During my first week in Switzerland, I definitely wasn’t familiar with the concept of service compris. Thus I effectively became the preferred patron of Lausanne dining establishments given my tipping on top of the tip that was already included in my bills. (As you can imagine, none of the service staff decided to fill me in on this.)
On a related note, tax is included in the price of all purchases that you make in Switzerland. I really like this as it’s nice to just see something and know exactly what you’re going to pay at the register.
No comments:
Post a Comment