How to understand the difference between a German and American restaurant bill?
In German restaurants, customers are charged the prices listed on the menu, which already includes all applicable taxes or fees, and the service. This means that the total amount on the bill is the same as the prices listed on the menu. Only if you had special requests, they will be listed and will cost you extra.
In the United States, on the other hand, the prices listed on the menu are not the final prices that customers are charged.
This is because in the United States prices on the menu are listed without the sales tax, which ends up being listed on the bill as an extra item. In California or New York the sales tax is around 10%, quite a significant difference to the prices listed on the menu.
You may also encounter additional taxes and fees specific to the municipality in which the restaurant is - San Francisco permits the restaurants to charge addition few % for staff’s healthcare insurance.
Also, in the US it became common for restaurants to add a service charge or gratuity to the total bill, especially for parties greater than 5 people, which is not included in the prices listed on the menu. This service charge, which is typically between 15 and 25 percent of the total bill, is intended to be a tip for the waitstaff and is not optional.
Even if the service charge is not included on the bill, you are expected to tip at least 15%.
In summary - in Germany you’ll pay the prices on the menu with an optional tip (truly optional), while in places like San Francisco and New York you may pay as much 40% than the prices listed on the menu.