Some 85% of respondents to a poll said they left tips after eating out in a restaurant. In bars and other places, the generosity is lower, but still considerable.
The main motivation for leaving tips for waiters and waitresses – although a service charge is standard in Switzerland – is to “show gratitude for the service”, according to the study published on Thursday by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). Four-fifths of the almost 1,200 respondents said this was the overriding factor.
Over a third were meanwhile of the opinion that service staff need the tips to supplement their low wages, while just under a third – and particularly younger people – said tipping was simply the social norm in Switzerland.
Three-quarters of respondents said they preferred to leave tips in cash.
More
What is a good average salary in Switzerland?
If you are a male banker, a Swiss diplomat or a foreign CEO in Switzerland, chances are you are living quite comfortably.
Beyond restaurants, beauty and wellness centres (45%), bars (41%), or transport services (41%) were also places where the Swiss tended to leave tips.
Overall, the study found, respondents from the Germany-speaking (largest) part of the country reported themselves as being more willing to tip than those from the French- and Italian-speaking regions. Salary also played a role: 80% of those with a monthly income of CHF6,000 ($5,918) said they left tips, while the figure rises to 91% for those earning over CHF9,000 per month.
As for the size of the tip, 21% of customers round up to the next five franc figure, while 17% give 10% of the bill. Some 16% base their generosity on what cash they have available at the time, and 11% vary it according to mood and satisfaction with the service.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss oddities
Mennonite movement turns 500 in Zurich, where it all began
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
This content was published on
The Fête de l'Epouvantail (scarecrow festival) is celebrating its 30th anniversary and returns to Denens in canton Vaud for its seventh edition from July 10-20.
This content was published on
A 35-year-old man has died in a work accident at the valley station of the Heimwehfluh toboggan run in Matten near Interlaken, canton Bern.
This content was published on
The Swiss embassy in Tehran re-opened on Sunday after being closed on June 20 owing to the unstable situation in the country.
This content was published on
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and her youngest daughter Princess Ariane attended the Netherlands' women's European Championship football match against Wales in Switzerland on Saturday.
Swiss want to better protect military airfields from spying
This content was published on
Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister says he wants to better protect Swiss military airfields against espionage activities.
Man charged with flying drone at women’s Euro 2025
This content was published on
A man flew a drone around the venue on Wednesday evening during the first match of the Women's EURO 2025 in St. Gallen. The 30-year-old violated the absolute ban on flying during match days. He was reported to the police.
More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative
This content was published on
A total of 257 companies from Switzerland have signed up to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). In doing so, they are committing to CO2 reduction targets that are compatible with the Paris Climate Agreement.
Swiss accident prevention group sees federal targets at risk
This content was published on
The Swiss government's target for accident figures is at risk, reckons Mario Cavegn, member of the executive board of the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention.
Feminicide: Swiss justice minister calls for electronic monitoring
This content was published on
Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans has called for electronic monitoring and an ankle bracelet warning system for perpetrators of violence against women.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss restaurant diners face energy surcharges
This content was published on
Restaurants in Switzerland are passing on the cost of rising energy prices to diners with the blessing of the industry’s umbrella group.
Hotels and restaurants complain of lost profits due to Covid certificate
This content was published on
Swiss hotels and restaurants have seen turnover drop by an average of 27.6% since the introduction of the Covid certificate, they say.
High-altitude Swiss mountain restaurant burns down
This content was published on
A restaurant built at 3,000 metres in the Swiss Alps, and a favourite destination for tourists, is partially destroyed by fire.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.