ElectricityElectrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. European
two-pin plugs are standard. LanguageFrench is the official language. TippingMost restaurants and hotels automatically add a 15% service
charge so a tip is not necessary, although another 2-3% is
customary if the service has been good. If service is not included
then 15% is customary. Taxi drivers expect 10-15% of the fare and
hairdressers 10%. Hotel staff generally receive EUR1.50 a day and
tips of EUR1 are given to washroom and cloakroom attendants and
museum tour guides. Tour bus drivers and guides are also
tipped. Safety InformationFollowing the London and Madrid bombings, security has been
heightened particularly in the transport sector. Unattended luggage
left in public places will be removed or destroyed by security
staff. While generally safe, visitors to France are advised to take
precautions against petty theft and to ensure their personal
safety. Thieves and pickpockets operate on the metro and around
airports. Theft from cars is prevalent, particularly in the south,
around Marseilles, and in Corsica. A Corsican nationalist group
FLNC have been responsible for a series of bomb attacks on public
buildings and holiday homes in Corsica and visitors should take
care, particularly in Ajaccio the capital, and other town centres.
Several recent cases of burglary have been reported while visitors
were asleep in their caravans or motorhomes and motorists are asked
to avoid parking in isolated or darkened areas of camping sites or
parking lots. Tourists are advised to conceal bags and purses even
when driving, and to never leave valuables unattended in the car.
Bag snatching is also common, particularly on public transport and
in shopping centres, and visitors should also be vigilant of
luggage while loading bags into and out of hire cars at
airports. Local CustomsFrench culture is of paramount importance to the French and in
an increasingly Americanised world they feel duty-bound to
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