Gifts for Innkeepers

More things to pack? I would not do this with my limited space and thus, am surprised Rick would suggest such a practice.. When you get home, send them a postcard of your city or state with a thank you on it instead.

It wouldn’t even cross my mind to do this, so don’t waste your money or luggage space. It’s not something that’s done in Britain and your hosts won’t expect anything.

Yeah, this sounds crazy to me.

Have a nice chat with them if they have time and seem inclined, but they have a business to run. Being a good, thoughtful customer is probably the best gift you can give them.

Innkeepers???? Are you staying at a pub (in the 1800's).

Similar thread for people's opinions.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/gifts-for-hosts

It is a totally daft idea. You would be taking a gift to a total stranger with whom you have a business arrangement. Just the idea of “ bestowing” a gift smacks of a feeling of superiority.

Thank you for those respectful responses.

While it is a nice thought, the best gift you could give these days is a very good online review. It could mean more customers for your hosts.

Yes, I think Rick sometimes lives in the past. Nowadays proprietors want good online reviews not small gifts.

Totally daft idea!!

During one of my B&B stays, a Norwegian family produced a bottle of Norwegian wine at the end of their stay to give to the B&B owner, who very much appreciated the gesture. But it was a white wine; she's a red wine lady. So, she shared it with my friend and I that afternoon.

“Innkeepers” or hoteliers or B&B owners are not your friends and - controversial bit here - nor do they want to be. They’ll cheerfully feign friendship because they want your repeat business but don’t fool yourself you’ve formed a bond with Don & Beryl at the little Bath/York/St Ives guesthouse because you brought them a present. You’re a paying customer and they’ll forget you as soon as you’ve left.

Just don't waste your money and luggage space.

There are circumstances that sometimes occur that make giving a gift more reasonable.....extraordinary help during a stay, or some rapport built during communication prior to travel. Or if this is your normal generous way while at home, then gift away. But if it is because someone said so, and it isn't a natural inclination then it comes across as fake.

Anyone know in what place RS makes this recommendation - one of his books or videos? I think a lot of the books need a complete rewrite, especially topics on money and electronics, not just a periodic tweaking.

A quick google search indicates this topic was asked as far back as 2007....a lot has changed since then, so I hope they aren't using these references to ask the question for 2019.

I think Rick might be reminiscing back to the days where few Americans traveled to Europe and you couldn’t buy things from around the world in stores or online.

I really wish Rick and his company would do a serious rewrite of all of his books and update them for the 21st century.

I've never brought a gift from home to an innkeeper. When I was in York for Mothering Sunday a few years ago, the children of York Minster Sunday school gave all of the ladies attending the Sung Eucharist a bouquet of daffodils during the service. What loveliness for each lady whether visiting or not! Since I was returning to London that day, I gave the flowers to the innkeeper for her to enjoy.