In the U.S. tipping is customary and expected for everything from lackluster to outstanding service. It is an etiquette which is ingrained in all trades, from wait staff at restaurants to our baristas, valets, cab drivers, porters, and many more trades. In Europe tipping is not as customary, but in Luxembourg tipping is accepted and appreciated.

This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.

The official currency of Luxembourg is the euro, written EUR. Some shops catering to tourists will accept payment in Euros but not U.S. dollars. Once you`re in Luxembourg you`ll need to use the Euro.

A service charge of 15% is added to your food bill at a restaurant. An additional tip isn`t required, but many people add a Euro or two for good service. It is recommended to tip your server directly, do not put it on the credit card to ensure your server receives the tip.

A service charge of 10% is common at hotels. You should also tip service staff at the hotel that is helpful. For porters and bellhops, 1 to 2 Euros per bag is sufficient. A small tip for housekeeping is also greatly appreciated and should be about 1.50 to 2 Euros per day. You may wish to provide a small tip for room service as well, if you use it during your stay.

Tipping cab drivers is not expected necessary in Luxembourg, but they will not refuse if you do tip them. Leaving a tip (round up) is always a good idea, especially if the driver is helpful and provides you with recommendations.

Typically tour guides should receive a tip that is 10% of the total cost of the tour. You should tip drivers half the amount that you tip the guide. However, you are not obligated to, but you can always tip a little extra if you had an exceptional experience.

Remember while tipping is not obligatory, it is best to follow what the locals do, which is usually 10% gratuity. Tipping in Luxembourg is similar to tipping traditions in the rest of Europe. However tipping customs vary depending on the service. Service provides generally expect that most tourists will tip and possibly tip more than they need to.