How to tip at a Restaurant in Mexico?

[abdibile]

I am a little confused with mexican restaurant bills. Service is usually included in Europe and you only tip very little compared to the US.

I only was at two (cheap) restaurants since I arrived in Mexico:

The first one the bill just showed what we had orderd and I left just below 10% tip as the waitor had forgotten to bring my soup and Iw as not too happy. He went after me and demanded we had to pay more.

The second restaurant the printed bill was already filled out in handwriting to add about 17% additional to what was on the menue for whatever (can not read the handwriting) and the sum including that.

I expect these 17% to be the tip or could it be some kind of tax and tip would be in adition?

Would you then leave exactly this handwritten sum or tip somnething in adition?

Do the waiters get a base salary or do they jsut live on the tips?

Thanks for clarifying this for me!

 

[Passepartout]

This is from Tripadvisor. It discusses the difference between the IVA value added tax that is often on restaurant bills and the tip. In short, waiters get little if any salary and tips are a substantial portion of their income.

RESTAURANT WAITERS/WAITRESSES

If you receive good service from your waiter or waitress, it is customary to leave a tip of 15% of the cost of the food/beverages before the value added tax (listed as ‘IVA’ or Impuesto al Valor Agregado on your bill) is added. IVA is 16% of the cost (11% in border states), so if you want to leave a 16% tip, simply use the amount of IVA to leave as your tip. You may choose to leave more for exceptional service, and less for poor service.

Some restaurants automatically add a tip to your bill, regardless of whether or not you’re in a large party. A charge labeled “propina” on your bill is a gratuity that the restaurant includes automatically with each bill. It is not necessary to tip an additional amount.

Here's the whole article that covers tipping in Mexico in general, including for taxis, grocery baggers, housekeepers, fishing captains, etc.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g150768-s606/Mexico:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

Enjoy Mexico!

Jim Ricks

 

[abdibile]

Thanks a lot for the info!

I now deciphered what the handwritten 17% on the bill is labled: "service"

This is the tip or is it in adition of the tip?

Is the IVA usually included in the prices that I see on the menu or is it in adition?

 

[Passepartout]

If it says 'service', I'd interpret that as 'tip'.

Jim

 

[rpennisi]

In restaurants when you look at a menu, the prices include the IVA. If you see a dish is 120 pesos, that includes the IVA.
When you get your bill the IVA is backed out of the meal. The bill shows the IVA on a separate line.
The propina line is for your tip. It is definitely not included in the IVA amount.
At the Mayan Palace complex in Riviera Maya they included, automatically, a tip or propina in the bill at the end of the meal. Most places that I have been to don't do that. You add the tip yourself.

 

[Barbeque]

A couple of things to consider in Mexico about service is that dining is the norm they dont normally try to rush you. Custom in Mexico it is rude for them to present the bill prior to you asking for it. However some restaurants being used to Americans will give you the bill most you have to indicate you are finished.

 

[rpennisi]

Just say, "La cuenta, por favor".

 

[jschmidt]

Tipping in Mexico: Restaurants - 10%; Taxis - 0% (zero percent).