Tourists tip extra?

We ate at the restaurant Lubitsch in Berlin in May ’07. Recommended by a reader (Jan. ’07, pg. 75), it is indeed a very fine place to eat — good food and good ambience at a reasonable price. I think we had a starter and a main course each, two glasses of wine, two beers, mineral water and coffee and our bill was €66 (about $91) for two.

However, as at a number of big-city German restaurants, printed on the credit card slip which we had to sign was the line, “Does not include tip.” All of the credit card slip was in German except for this line, which was in English and so would not be read by most Germans.

Germans know that the tip is always included, though it is customary to leave a few small coins. This line is apparently aimed at tourists who don’t know any better. The restaurant is hoping for an extra 15%-20%. An unworthy trick from an otherwise fine restaurant!

AXEL LOHRISCH

Sarasota, FL