Should you tip, and if so, where, when and how much should you give? The short, happy rule in Ireland is that you never tip. But, like all rules there is one exception. Twenty years ago, nobody in Ireland tipped for anything. And with good reason. Food in restaurants was passable at best, service was slow and you often got the impression your waiter or waitress thought they were doing you a favor. For the most part this has changed greatly. There are now many fantastic restaurants throughout the country and restaurateurs have realized the importance of quality, friendly service. For this reason the locals have become a lot more inclined to tip when food and/or service is good. It is now the norm to tip approximately 10% in restaurants, unless the food or service is poor. The same does not apply if eating in pubs, though many people will leave a small tip for a particularly friendly waiter or waitress. Do not tip any of the following (though they will gladly take it if offered): bar men, taxi drivers, hotel door men, people you ask for directions, old men in pubs offering advice on everything from the weather to the stock market.

This article appeared in this issue of our newsletter: issue 01
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