Is tipping expected in Paris restaurants?
Tipping in Paris is not a US-style obligation, but tourist-facing prompts can make it feel that way. Treat it as a modest extra for good service rather than a panic tax on every meal.
Answer
The practical move is to understand the bill, pay calmly and avoid turning every card terminal into a cultural crisis. In many restaurants, service is already handled differently from strongly tip-based systems, though leaving a small extra for good service is common enough. The awkwardness often comes from travellers importing rules from home or feeling pressured by payment screens. Build a little room into the food budget, then use judgement. A café coffee, a casual lunch and a polished dinner do not all ask for the same response.