October 06, 2020

Tips, Please!


Tips, Please!
It can be difficult to know how much to tip when traveling. Image by zoetnet via Flickr

The Russian government is working to protect consumer rights when it comes to eating out. Recently, new rules were approved that ban the inclusion of tips and other service charges, such as commissions and surcharges, in a customer’s check total.

According to a statement by Rospotrebnadzor (the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing – quite a mouthful), “this approach should eliminate the practice of misleading consumers about the real costs of providing these services.”

The rules also specify that restaurants and such institutions must disclose to the customer which services are free and which come at a cost, such as music for example. The new regulations will take effect starting on January first.

It’s difficult to say how much these new regulations will affect the restaurant sector. According to the Vice-President of the Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers, Vadim Prasov, the new rules will not change anything for the majority of businesses: “This will not affect most establishments, because after all, the bulk of cafes and a la carte restaurants always say that the tip is left at the discretion of the guest.”

According to an analysis by Sberbank and the Foodtech platform SberFood, on average Russians leave 7.5% of the check total for a tip at cafes and restaurants of all types.

You Might Also Like

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

Jews in Service to the Tsar
October 09, 2011

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955