Tipping expectations in Budapest,Vienna,Prague?
 

some countries do not expect tipping.
what is the practice in these countries? Expected for taxis, restaurants?

Thanks

In most restaurants in Prague the tip is included. When it it not, it is very clearly stated at the bottom of the bill. Also your server will inform you that the tip is not included. As an aside, 2 restaurants in Prague refused to serve tap water. Very annoying.

In Prague have a look at the menu in Czech language also (if you can read it, that is). It happened to me that the English (or German) menu stated that service is not included while the Czech menu said the opposite. VERY annoying.

In general a tip is expected.

I've found that restaurants in Prague have learned to print out a "tip" line on credit card receipts, and waiters have learned to how to state in perfectly clear English "tip is not included."

The cynical me says it's all a ploy to milk more money out of tourists.

In the restaurants I was in where the tip wasn't included, it wasn't stated on the menu but on the bottom of the bill. I left a tip in one restaurant but in the other where I felt the service was lacking I didn't tip and didn't feel guilty about it. This was also one of the places where I couldn't get tap water.

Many restaurnts in Austria have the service charge included in the price of the offerings . It is common here to leave a little extra if service is satisfactory.
For smaller amounts it would be customary to " round up "
example 9,50 euro bill pay 10 euro. It is not common to leave the tip on the table but just say to the waiter in the avbove instance " Danke " hank You He will know that no change is needed .
For larger amounts - 5-7 % added is fine - again tell the waiter the total amount you wish to pay - the bill amount and tip together . He will give the chang accordingly and keep his tip.

Taxi 10%

porter 1 euro per bag

Perhaps I eat in different places, but most of the restaurants where I eat in Prague do NOT include the tip in the bill. The bill states whether it does or not. The very touristy places right on Old Town square do include it. And I can read Czech.

For Budapest and Prague, just always simply check your bill when you get it. I've been to as many restaurants in these 2 cities that do include a 'service charge'/'table service fee', etc. as those who don't. I've even had a waiter try to tell me that I should include a tip over and above this when I asked for clarification, as the included charge is 'for the managers' and not them. Nice try ! :)
So simply check your bill and act accordingly. Don't feel bad about not leaving a tip if it's already been included. It shouldn't be in the first place, but rather to your discretion for the service you received.

Thanks for your help and informative replies.

I've just looked at the weather for next 10 days in these 3 cities and it has rain almost every day in all 3 cities w/mostly
50-60%. Does it really rain that much?????

It hasn't been raining very much in the Czech Rep but it has been overcast a lot. The rain has been mostly at night. The sun is trying to come out but those big black clouds take over constantly.

And yes...it really does rain that much...it is spring...the rain now makes things lush, it softens the earth for planting, it makes the trees flower and leaf, it makes those beautiful fields of rape seed turn yellow!