Tipping culture in Croatia and the Balkans
 

I do not wish to replicate the rather uncivilized recent discussion on another forum, but I am curious about how other travellers address this topic when on multi day private guided tours to these countries.

We just returned yesterday from a week in Reykjavik and took several day long tours. It was very interesting to see how different segments of our small daily groups showed appreciation for the guides' efforts. Some expressed a sincere thank you and others offered cash tips, sometimes in foreign rather than Icelandic currency. The guides did not seem offended by either practice.

As has been expressed on other threads, much depends on the tipping culture of the country. We will be spending time in Croatia next month on a private guided tour, meaning we will be transported in segments between locations with local drivers and have daytime tours in our selected areas of interest with local guides. We have done this before in other countries I.e. India, Turkey, Tunisia, and Australia as a few examples. The Australian guide was the only one who was uncomfortable with a cash tip. I understand that tipping is not a big part of their culture.

What is the usual practice and expectation in Croatia and the Balkans for guides and drivers? We have always tipped guides in our travels, and for most meals where it is "service compris" we will round up. Any insights into local practices would be appreciated.

ttt

Croatia is part the of Balkans, what are the other Balkan countries that you are consider visiting?

Guides and drivers will not expect a tip, but tips will be gratefully accepted. In Croatia it would be better to give a tip in Kuna, not foreign currency.

One thread at a time is enough.
I'm back from Slovenia.
I asked the guy who had the key to our appt.
I suggest you do the same, it will avoid anyone and everyone to give a (hot) advice, unless we have some Croatian (Croat ?)on the forum.

pariswat, I am not Croatian but I work with a lot of guides there. They don't expect a tip, but they are very happy when they get one. I am not sure what Croatians would tip; they probably don't use guides as much as foreigners. What did the guy in Slovenia say?

Sloven guy said : they don't expect tips. But they are ok when they get one.
We didn't tip and were always welcome, coming and leaving.
( But I don't want to start or be part of another war :-) )

That's been my experience pariswat. (the tipping part, not the war part.)

Having been to Croatia, Bulgaria Romania and Serbia, my experience was that everyone was happy to be tipped.

I do not know whether it was expected or not, but it was always received with a big smile. I never had the impression of having "insulted" anyone.

I, too, hope to avoid a war, but would note that unless tipping is offensive (as it can be in Japan), most gracious people will receive a tip graciously, even if it is not expected.

There are several reasons to avoid overtipping insofar as possible: Doing so can contribute to some negative stereotypes about Americans (or others) who tip – that Americans are culturally insensitive, think we can buy anything and/or anyone, don’t understand the value of money, don’t appreciate the professionalism of those with whom we interact, want to flaunt our wealth, are stupid or careless, etc. Personally, I don't want to PAY to contribute to these stereotypes. YMMV.

If you decide to tip, you might consider presenting the tip with some clear explanation of why you decided to do so -- for example, by citing instances when they went WELL above and beyond expectation. And when deciding on the amount, consider the context. It might be a "Mies van der Rohe" moment. :-)

And I thoroughly agree with rialtogrl when she says that if you DO tip, do it in the local currency!

I usually say, go buy yourself a couple of beers. :)

My wife is a Croatian who was some years ago(1990) an assistant Maitre D with Celebity. She read this and commented nothings changed then. <There are several reasons to avoid overtipping insofar as possible: Doing so can contribute to some negative stereotypes about Americans (or others) who tip – that Americans are culturally insensitive, think we can buy anything and/or anyone, don’t understand the value of money, don’t appreciate the professionalism of those with whom we interact, want to flaunt our wealth, are stupid or careless, etc.>

She said a genuine thank you is enough to a Croatian, cash is just the wrapping paper.

Kja
You made me look up for YMMV - explantion I found is 'your mileage may vary' - meaning that it is not an absolute rule.
Correct ?

When I was last in Iceland we debated for a long time tipping our guide and driver.
We were a mixed group, Americans, British, German, French and Swiss.
The guide was a local academic and some of us worried about insulting him.

Finally, on our instructions, the oldest member of our group said, "In some of our countries, it is customary to give money to guides and drivers in appreciation of their services. If this is not the custom in Iceland, please donate our gift to the tree planting programme".

@ pariswat: Yes, YMMV means "your mileage may vary." I tend to use that expression when I think people are likely to vary from one another in how they experience or see things.