 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi, we're in Zermatt and having a great time in spite of the lack of fresh snow (it will start up just as we leave). Thank you to all who suggested a location near the Sunnegga lift. This is a great location with easy access. We're taking half board and we're wondering if we're supposed to tip the wait staff. Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I would leave a tip with the head waiter if I was enjoying half board. I presume you are l having a tip for the room cleaner as well?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Personally, I treat HB as if I'm eating in a restaurant.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Exactly @red 27
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Quote: |
| Personally, I treat HB as if I'm eating in a restaurant |
So no tips then @red 27? 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Switzerland is not a tipping country, however the chalet staff will probably appreciate some CoL help.
Not sure of your setup, but I would leave tip in room for chalet staff & tip at table for serving people. Certainly would not do above at tip the head honchu. Know where your tip is going!!!!!
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Yes, Switzerland is not a big tipping country but being in a resort hotel with half board feels more like a cruise than being in CH-staff are from all over the world. Thanks for the replies. Off to our last day skiing.
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Remember minimum wage in Switzerland is circa £40k I believe. Varies a little canton by canton. Restaurants have a tip included in the price as well.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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OP we want to know .... We Must know!
Did you leave the hotel waiting staff something? Everything? Nothing?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
| OP we want to know .... We Must know!Did you leave the hotel waiting staff something? Everything? Nothing? |
Turned out that the OP was on less than the Swiss minimum wage of £40k per year...So the waiters/waitresses and cleaning staff tipped him/her instead
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| twoodwar wrote: |
| Remember minimum wage in Switzerland is circa £40k I believe. Varies a little canton by canton. Restaurants have a tip included in the price as well. |
Only a couple of cantons have implemented a minimum wage after a referendum rejected the idea nationally a few years back. I think Geneva was the first, with their hourly rate now set at chf24. So if this were a full time position, 40 hour week, that would equate to around chf50k pa. Quite a big IF though, for hotel and restaurant workers, and still below the national average earnings. Of course, they may also get board and lodging provided in a ski resort.
As for tipping, no, there is no tip included in a restaurant price. It's entirely optional, and always appreciated if/when you do, even if it's just rounding up to the next even amount. There's not normally any way to add a tip to a card payment, for instance, so if you want to leave a tip but only have a couple of francs change in your pocket it's still perfectly acceptable to leave it if you feel so inclined. Or not, if you don't want to or don't have any cash at all.
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There are people unable to heat their homes in the UK and a lot worse elsewhere. I wouldn't worry about tipping staff in Switzerland, they are *probably* ok
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You know it makes sense.
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Some inaccuracies to address
THERE IS NO NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE.
Some cantons have introduced it- GVA is 23chf per hour and is the highest in CH. But most, including Wallis, where Zermatt is, do not.
Many people working in hospitality are not from Switzerland, they can be fired on the spot- sod all protection, and they have to negotiate their salary and will likely get paid less than a swiss local.
None of this is a pity party, we all know CH is a good place to live but these are not bankers in Zurich, these are hard working people in a shitty industry so if they have provided a good service - tip them.
Rounding up rather than a % is more normal in Switzerland. Cash always the first choice.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Nadenoodlee, and the service charge has been included in all Swiss menu prices since 1971?
Not a major argument, but interested in the facts. All guide books I references on the internet make this point. I would also dispute that hospitality is a shitty industry. It has like all businesses good and bad practitioners. Suggest the Swiss should alter their employment law, if so little protection is given to staff.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@twoodwar, service charge isn't a tip and can be used/ shared at the business’ discretion. Swiss people tip.
Happy to share the requisite address if you’d like to suggest changes to their labour laws. As the often can vote due to their immigration status, its a little challenging for many in the industry to challenge it.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Nadenoodlee, not my call re labour laws, I’m not Swiss. Re service charge, same as UK then. I do think service charge is a tip though. If businesses are not giving this to staff, I will ask waiting staff as I do in the UK
I don’t pay the service charge if staff say it’s not given to them, as it’s not a legal requirement in the UK and they have to remove it from the bill. I then tip directly, if they have given good service.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I tip them at breakfast too (if they've made some sort of effort) but then perhaps I'm a soft touch 
Surprised no one has posted the Reservoir Dogs opening scene yet
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I'm going to Crans Montana in a few weeks ... I think I'll have to take Sandwiches ... or perhaps take a job 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@DrLawn, if you’re going to CM just look down the back of the chalet sofa for a few loose 1000chf notes
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Lots of interesting responses. We just got back last night so catching up on everything at home. We've traveled to CH many times though this was our first time skiing. We're familiar with the leaving some CHF since I can't remember ever seeing a tip/gratuity line on a credit card payment; usually tap and pay. This time, however, every night after dinner we were supposed to sign a receipt showing what we had, especially any alcohol, so there would be no question at check out time. Each night the form also included a tip/gratuity line. We didn't fill that in. At check out time, the front desk assured us that any tip we left would be shared with all the support staff. We assumed they were telling the truth so we left a tip for everyone. Our chatting with staff indicated that most were not from CH but from the less wealthy EU countries and from Latin America. The hotel staff were very helpful and friendly and we wanted to let them know we appreciated their efforts.
Thanks to you all for your help in planning this trip. Now we have to be a little bit sad until we can start planning another ski trip. 
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@Nadenoodlee, I never though of that ... even a single 5Chf coin would be nice 
Thanks for the tip!
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@DPL, hopefully your tip made it to the right hands - the swiis are an honest bunch ini my limited expereince.
Personally I prefer cash on the table when it comes to tips, takes HMRC (or the local =) out the equation
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