ATM / Money Exchange / Tipping, Amsterdam

In Holland it is common to give a tip (5-10%) to the waitress in a restaurant (if he/she was friendly and the food was good). They don't need the tips to live, serving food and drinks is a normal job. The waitresses does not always work as fast as in other countries, but it is still hard work to do.

Unfortunality they are not always in a good mood when you are sitting on a terrace, because they have to work too hard. So be friendy and respectfull, give a smile and get a smile. Only give a tip if they were nice to you.

In bars and café's some people give a tip, others don't.

It is common to give the taxidriver a tip. Only if they were nice, of course!
Never give a tip if someone asks for it.

You can leave the tip at the plate (if you get the bon on a little plate), leave it on the table (if it's not to crowded), or give it to the waitress or barceeper.

It seems not only is friendliness invited, it's rewarded in Amsterdam.

In booking a hotel room one night, we started up a conversation with the receptionist and were told the room was 100 Euro. We looked at the room, and decided it was a go. As we were moving our luggage, we noticed another couple looking to stay there who seemed a bit upset and stressed out. They were fairly rude and demanding. They got the same size room as we did for 150 Euro. My fiancee and I noticed a sign by the receptionist stand that said "Prices of your rooms may vary depending on your Attitude."

Also, as we stayed in Amsterdam for 9 days, we found a few places we enjoyed eating...and ended up eating at them fairly frequently. By the last day, we were paying significantly less than the first day for the same food! It pays to be nice! (And there's no reason not to, everyone is incredibly cordial in Amsterdam)

The currency used in the Netherlands
is the Euro ...... Euros are divided into
100 cents. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10,
20 and 50 cents, and 1 and 2 euros.
There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200
and 500 euros.
Please note that some shops do not accept
large denomination notes.

The Dutch Guilder is no longer usable, and no longer can
be exchanged for Euro.

We find it easy to use as there is 100 euro cents to 1 Euro.
As of Feb. 2006., there was 1.25 Euro to the US dollar.

There are many places to change money in town. Post Offices
usually give the best rates. The GWK at Central station is also
good. Compare rates carefully at the exchange offices in town.
Hotels are usually an expensive way to change money.
Banks can be slow. There's an American Express on the Damrak,
and a Thomas Cook on the Dam.

Credit cards are not as widely accepted in the Netherlands as
in many other lands, but it's getting steadily better. Always enquire
first if you intend to pay by credit card.

If you have an ATM card. a card for getting money out of a machine
in the wall, it will most likely work in the Netherlands, so you don't
need to take traveller's cheques.

Check with your bank before leaving though. Such cards, certainly
if they have a Maestro logo on them, can often also be used for
direct debit payments in shops, shops that display the blue
"PIN" sign.

Like in all big cities the world round, there are cheats looking
for an easy target. A typical trick in less reputable establishments
is, if you pay with a note, to give you change as if you tendered a
note of one denomination smaller. For instance to give you change
for 50 euros if you give them a 100 euro note, and then pretend it
was a mistake if you notice. The best way to avoid this happening
is to speak the value of the note as you hand it over, "100 euros",
so they can't claim not to have noticed ......

When in Dam Square, please remember to tip the living statues if your going to take pictures or video tape. I couldn't keep count of all the times people took pictures without tipping them.

This is what they do for a living, so it has to be worth while for them. I've heard locals say anywhere from .5 Euros to 2 Euros. Whatever you feel like giving, as long as you give something.

Tip low - generally. Waitresses and Waiters make much more than peeps in the U.S. They do not work based on tips, and usually the service shows for it. The general feeling is that you should feel lucky to be served by them, and that they dont need your business. Be polite, and dont expect much. When I recieve extraordinary service (basically service that can be compared to what I am used to in NYC) I tip appropriately (at least 15%), otherwise, I tip MUCH less.
If you expect too much, and show your distain, they will treat you even worse.
ALSO, most places wont serve you tap water with your meal. If you request it most place will not give it. You have to pay for water. Spa Blue is the water with no bubbles, Spa red has bubbles.

Tipping guidelines are different than the North American standard of 15%:

If you are just having coffee or a beer, round up.

If you are having a meal, around 10-15 percent is nice.

If your service sucks... don't tip.

Waiters don't live by their tips here. :)

A service charge is generally included in restaurant prices and taxi fares, but it is usual to round the total up to the nearest Euro plus 10% for good service. Porters, doormen and room service in Amsterdam hotels will expect a small tip for their services.

Most people say that it is not necessary to tip in Amsterdam. I have noticed that it is appreciated by all bartenders and all waitstaff. I have gotten into the habit of tipping just a bit...if your looza is 1.80, leave the 2euro.

Why wouldn't you tip for a meal like this?