Tipping and currency
 

So, as a novice to international travel, what currency do drivers, tour guides, etc prefer, and what is a respectable tip? Using ECU, I might think to tip a tour guide $10, and maybe that's great? But of course in USD that only ammounts to $3.85 or so, which, a least by US standards, would probably not be too appreciated. What about shops and restuarants, do they prefer USD, ECU, or both?
Many thanks. NWG

How much you tip and in what currency will depend on where you are travelling. Since you posted this on the Caribbean Forum I'll assume you mean tipping/currency policies on various islands. If you are visiting the USVI's or BVI's use $US for tipiing as well as paying for purchases and services since that's the official currency. Locals there will look at you rather funny if you try to pay in any "foreign" currency.

On the French islands the official currency is the EURO, although you'll find $US is often widly accepted in places like St. Martin and St. Barth's. I believe the Dutch islands use Guilders but they too accept $US.
As for the independent islands (CARRICOM Nations) the Eastern Caribbean Dollar is the official currency but you'll again find $US widly accepted. The official Exchange Rate is fixed at $2.6882EC = $1US but some merchants use anywhere between $2.65EC & $2.75EC to the $1US.

Tipping for tour guides and cab rides etc. is at your descretion. I generally give 10% to 15% of the charge regardless of what currency is being used. For example, if an cab ride cost $30EC I tip $3EC or something close to it's equivellent in $US (In this example the conversion rate is $2.68EC = $1.00US so I give a tip of $3EC or $1US - you get the idea).

As far as tipping in a restaurant, first determine if a Service Charge has been added to the bill (this is common on many islands) - if so no additional tip is necessary. If not, tip according to the custom on that island which can range anywhere from pocket change to 20% of the bill. Tell us exactly which islands you'll be visiting and we can be of more help.

Sorry, I thought it would show up as St. Lucia - That's where I'm going.

FYI - all posts appear on the Caribbean Forum.

St. Lucia uses the Eastern Carribean Dollar ($2.68EC = $1US). Your best bet is to take $US with you as they are widly accepted. You can exchahange $US for $EC at local banks or most hotels and resorts will do it in limited amounts as an accomodation to their guests. If you do pay in $US you may get change back from some vendors in $EC. When you are quote a price it will be in "dollars & cents" - clarify ahead of time whether the quote is in $EC or $US than decide if price is reasonalble and fair. Carry a small pocket "credit card" calculator to help you figure your cost in the currency with which you are most familar. An easy "rule of thumb" that most people can easily do in their heads to convert $EC to $US equivelent is to divide $EC price by 3 and add 10% - the reslut will be fairly close to $US amount.

FYI - you'll find service charges added to most restaurant bills on St. Lucia so check before you decide to tip extra.

Good luck.

US$ is by far the best for tipping.

Unfortunately, when the service charge is included, some of the restaurants don't distribute it among the waiters/waitresses, or at least they don't distribute the whole thing. The same is true if you pay your bill and tip with a credit card. If you want to make sure that your waiter/waitress gets the full tip, leave cash. Even if the service charge is automatically added to the bill, it is very much appreciated if you leave a few dollars on the table. Since the exchange rate is a fixed rate, it doesn't matter whether you tip in US or EC dollars.

By the way, in St. Lucia, when someone quotes you a price, unless they specifically say that they are talking in US dollars, they almost always speak in EC dollars.