Why would she be embarassed? She didn't know, and she asked a question--that's quite a reasonable thing to do. A bunch of superior a-holes then showed how smart they were by taking anonymous potshots at her, but that just shows their poor upbringing. I blame the parents.

Not Austria, but going to Croatia in September with a guided tour (not my usual way of traveling). The tour brochure actually recommends bringing US dollars for tipping. What are the thoughts here? I probably will do so but don't understand why I shouln't be tipping in the local currency (even if it means giving a bit more).

Hi Palette,

Do what the tour people recommend. It's their tour.

Thanks for clarifying the whereabouts of Austira. I was wondering myself...

I am a globetrotter, but had very few Euros when I arrived at the Rome airport last summer. My baggage was lost, and I ended up spending nearly 2 hours looking for it & filing a claim. I was SURE that the driver that my hotel arranged for me had left by then, but I was VERY happy to see that he was still waiting for me at the arrival area. I did not change currency at the airport, figuring I had already held him up long enough. When we got to the hotel, I tipped the guy with a big $US bill, and he thanked me. No problem. He did not look upset or surprised. I expained to him, anyway, that I did not have enough Euros to tip him , and he just thanked me again & walked away without incident. I would say in "emergency" tipping situations, go for it. Especially in a place where the dollar is stronger than the local currency. But, as I discovered, people would rather get a tip in a foreign currency than have no tip at all.

I see tipping $20US in an emergency a different (and acceptable!) solution. But that's not handing out $1's to hotel maids, taxi drivers, porters, waiters, et al.

I obviously haven't been on the board enough lately to spot Michele12 as a prolific but non-returning poster. Along those lines ... whatever happened to "Faithonholiday"?

RufusTFirefly,
I'm one of the superior a-holes you mention. Delighted to meet you!
My parents who you think are to blame for my poor upbringing send their best regards.
:-)

half the people your tour guide has you tip work for the tour company anyway, indirectly, if not directly. just like the shops they take you to will probably accept US dollars, since they will be giving a lot of them as a kickback to your guide for bringing you there.