Is Tipping Customary at B&B?

Don't tip.

Nope, tipping is not customary. You don't tip the hotel owner if you stay at a hotel, do you?

No I wouldn't tip a hotel owner but I do tip the employee who cleans the room and makes the bed. That's why I asked. Not really sure how the B&B set up works. Thanks for the reply.

We don't tip, but if we've stayed in a B&B a few days and the owners have been friendly & helpful, we'll often give them a small gift, like a bottle of wine.

A tip is not required or expected unless they perform some unusual serice such as pick up at the airport, etc. If you really have enjoyed your stay, tell them so and spread the word here and other places. Most B&Bs would really like a favorable write up on tripadvisor.com.

I've never tipped at B&B or family hotels. But, if I get a special favor I do find an appropriate small gift. For example, my pants split when I was staying in a hotel in Strathpeffer. Marion, one of the owners, hauled out her sewing machine and stitched them up for me. I knew that she had been working some long hours and loved baths so I found some nice bath salts for her. I would call this more of a "thank you" rather than a tip. I think Marion would have been offended if I had offered money. Pam

I agree with George and Pamela. Don't tip unless you receive some special or unexpected service. They don't expect it, and it can be rude or awkward (for the B&B owners) if you do. That said, I was hounded a few years ago at a B&B in Inistioge, Ireland upon departure. Mary (the owner) insisted on showing me the final invoice and pointing out how much of what I'd paid was going to whatever online referral service I'd booked through. "You can see", she said as she pointed out the 20% or so the 3rd party got, "that they get the lion's share of the payment". She made it clear (from that encounter and others leading up to it) that she was desirous of (and maybe expected?) a tip to help cover her struggles. Now, I'm quite fluent in English, and even speak a bit of Irish, but I've not come across anything in either language that suggests 20% of anything constitutes a "lion's share". Healthy bite yes, but...?? Whenever travelling anywhere outside the US, it's a good idea to read up in advance on the local tipping culture. Rick Steves' books are particularly good in that regard. No other countries that I am aware of tip like we do here in the US. And if you try to tip there like we do here, they might be either offended or think you're a complete idiot. Though many have gotten used to us Americanos and just accept (or start to count on?) the excessive tip. You're smart to ask this question in advance of your trip. By the way, you will absolutely love Ireland! And Inistioge is recognized (deservedly so) as one of the most beautiful villages in Ireland. Even a repeat experience with Mary wouldn't stop me from going back there again and again. Just don't arrive at her place later than expected - you'll never hear the end of it. Don't ask how I know.

Mike thanks for the info and the laughs:D I'll be in county Kilkenny for a night or two and if I happen to book in the town of Inistioge at a B&B owned by someone named Mary I'll consider myself warned. The scenario you mention is exactly why I asked. I've ordered the latest version of Rick's book. I have the hard back of DK Portrait of Ireland. I've found it very helpful in my planning and the photos are awesome. So much to see and do for such a small country. North, South, East, West & all points in between.
Btw, when booking a B&B in Ireland, did you pay with vouchers, Euros, or USD?

Thanks everyone for all the helpful input.
I like the idea of giving a small gift, when appropriate, as opposed to tipping. Thanks again!

Bill, there are hundreds of B&B's that do not advertise on the internet or in tour book....they depend completely on their signs. I always book my first night and last night...but the other nights I find them as I go. You can watch for B&B signs when you are ready to stop for the day. If you don't want to do that you can go to the tourist information center in each town/village and they can book a room. I like to find them as I go, I like to stay where they don't advertise that way the entire amount I pay goes to them.

<<Btw, when booking a B&B in Ireland, did you pay with vouchers, Euros, or USD?>> Have always paid in Euros. Even when booking in advance there has been no deposit, just pay upon departure. And Robin is right - there are many B&Bs that don't advertise - they just hang a sign. And like Robin, I've also travelled without any advance reservations and have had no problem finding a room on the fly. But then, I tend to travel in shoulder season, not high season when things could be different.

Mike from Seattle-the fee from the booking agency is effectively an advertising charge. You would not have known about that B&B without the agency. Hhmmm. I'm wondering if I can charge my customers an ad charge. You found me because of the ad-now pay for the ad. What's the Irish word for chutzpah?

It's too funny visualizing this lady prancing around the b&b and waving an invoice in the air while ranting in an Irish accent about the "Lions Share." Thanks for that tip Robin. Since I'm not going during the high season it sounds like I'll have no difficulty finding rooms and paying cash.

Hi Bill, I have traveled during high season and still have not had any trouble finding a B&B with a room. When you stop at a B&B they usually offer to show you the room before you agree to take the room.

A tip can get you extra breakfast if the server isnt the owner