Definition: service and tips in Switzerland

The widespread practice of including service charges has not definitively resolved the issue of tipping. In some cases, the issue of tipping has even become more complicated. For some employees, if tipping is part of their remuneration, they may feel aggrieved if they receive nothing or too little. However, offering a tip may offend those who are not expecting it and who may feel that they are being treated like "servants".
A few simple rules: never tip the owner, regardless of the business, even at the hairdresser's. Nor should you tip someone who is highly qualified, such as a chef or sommelier (wine specialist) in a restaurant. No tips either for healthcare staff, doctors and nurses, even if they have been very dedicated during a hospital stay; you can show your appreciation with a collective gift, such as a large box of chocolates or biscuits, which you can leave at reception with a thank-you card.
Returning to the hairdresser or taxi driver, a small extra tip may be welcome. Some people slip it into their pocket when they leave, especially if they are regular customers and know the staff well. You can also wait until the end of the year to give a gift that is more like a New Year's gift than a tip. This may be the case for a bank manager and other service providers throughout the year.

For other services, it depends on whether the service is included or not. In Switzerland, it is included, especially in restaurants. If you pay by credit card, it is best to add a small tip in cash for the waiter. If you add it to the credit card receipt, it is not uncommon for the tip not to be passed on to the employees. It is recommended to leave a tip if the waiter has been particularly friendly and attentive. The same applies if the taxi driver has helped you carry your suitcase, if the hotel concierge has gone out of their way to provide you with special assistance, if a delivery person has brought you a particularly heavy package, etc. In such cases, tipping is a way of showing your appreciation. The same applies to hotel porters, valets, cloakroom attendants or public toilet attendants, ushers, removal men, your mechanic at the garage, tour guides; don't hesitate to tip; the amount will depend on the work done and the standard of the establishment. It is better to give nothing than to leave a ridiculously small amount. Prepare the amount in advance, or arrange with your partner or companions so that you are not short of change or do not leave the person waiting with their hand outstretched. Always accompany your gesture with a smile and, in one of those paradoxes that politeness loves, always say "thank you" when offering!
Leaving nothing is also a way of expressing your dissatisfaction, if necessary!

When abroad, find out about the rules in force. Travel agencies can provide you with information on local customs.
Further information can be found on specialised websites, at the following links: