My husband and I are staying a few days in the Czech Republic beyond the end of our RS Tour this Fall. I've booked a few hours with a Tour Guide to accompany us on a half day tour out of Brno. While I'm comfortable with the agreed upon cost, I'm unsure of the local custom as to if and how much to tip the guide. Any advice would be appreciated.
Posted by
Home_Sweet_Home :-)
507 posts
Here is an article from Rick Steves.
http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/tipping-in-europe
On my IPhone there is a search box in the lines in the upper left. You research similar questions using "tipping" in the search box & just leave "forums" checked.
Have fun!
My 2-Cents Worth
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
The Golden rule is: If in doubt, don't tip.
Millions of people go through life never tipping from one year's end to the next.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
No offense, Chris, but I've read that the Swiss are the stingiest tippers in Europe.
I was told, very emphatically, by a German woman (Swäbisch, also know for stinginess), my hostess in the Black Forest, that you should only round up the bill to the next euro, period. I can't get myself to leave only 10 cent on a bill that ends in 90 cent, so I add 50 cent, then round up. Sometimes, particularly if the bill is over 10€, I'll feel guilty and add another euro.
By the way, as I understand it, the difference is not a tip, per se, but that is is just considered impolite to take the small coins.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
@Lee
After I made the first post, I did a small and totally unscientific survey. I was in a restaurant just over the border in Germany. It was lunch time, and the customers were a mixture of couples and families. In the time I was there, I watch each group pay. 4 groups handed over notes, and all of them waited for the change which they picked up. One paid the exact amount (including coins), and one paid by credit card.
BTW - I'm actually English, I just happen to live in Switzerland.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
"4 groups handed over notes, and all of them waited for the change which they picked up."
That doesn't mean that they didn't "tip" something. As you well know, in Europe the server tells you the total charge for food and, if you don't have exact change for what you want to pay, you give him more and tell him how much to take, and he gives you change. Same process if you are tipping 20% or nothing.
The person who paid "the exact amount (including coins)" was probably Swiss.