The highest denomination notes are €500. They don't print new ones anymore, but there are still plenty in circulation.

Oops, I forgot about the briefcases full of unmarked €500 notes they must have their assistants lug around.

So, is the default tip 500 (highest available) or 200 (highest you will ordinarily be given in a bank) or 100 (highest most people usually have on hand)?

At the time I lived there, tipping 500 for holding the door was not uncommon and half expected.

You’re joking about the briefcases, but a friend of mine had a group of bodyguards swarm the $LUXURY_SPORTS_CAR dealership he was working at, followed by the customer who bought a car cash - as in « literal cash from a suitcase »

My local mall has a Maserati dealership, among lesser brands, a couple floors up, and the tax on this kind of car is about 300% AFAIK.

I’ve long imagined someone walking in, handing over $300K or whatever in cash, and driving it out the secret car exit on the third floor.

The mall downtown has Rolls Royce, I assume you can drive that right down the escalator if you want.

100s are still uncommon, the default tip is 50 (or multiple 50s).