Kate, you poor, literal-minded thing!

Well said, Ursula & BC!

Chippie? Chippie means carpenter here.

Actually I thought it was a playful way to say potatoe chip, chippie. You can have your chippie with dip or pretzles.

But this is based on a stupid premise. It's not necessary to tip in a salon in Brussels, and perhaps if the stylist felt the woman wasn't aware of this, she'd politely tell her it wasn't necessary or explain that gratuity is included in the actual cost of the service. If the woman still wanted to tip, the stylist would gracefully accept the tip and, if she truly felt uncomfortable about it, give it away. If you experienced someone having a temper tantrum and throwing away a tip (which I highly doubt), I expect the person you observed might have been somewhat crazy. It's certainly not typical. Brussels is a big city, it's the home of EU headquarters, and people who work in any kind of service industry there encounter foreigners, even non-Europeans, frequently. In sum, if this is a troll it's one of the poorest I've seen here - it's built on a premise that is obviously faulty.

Just to let any ladies know that may get thier hair done in Italy, <BR>they do take tips. If the girl won't take it, when you pay there is always a can of some sort for tips, you may have to ask for the can, bucket, tray, etc. <BR> <BR>Now, don't anybody go off on the use of the word can, we americans know it well enough.

Is this American tourist the same one who wanted to know how much to tip the pilot?

Chris, did you happen to see which way Clara went? Or hear where she is staying? Brussels, hmmmmmmmm, I wonder what she has up her sleeve....was there a Scotsman with her? Tell us more about how Clara was and how she looked, we have heard nothing from her in so long and all of us have been so worried!!!!

Sometimes Americans say "I'll pick up the check" and you say "No, I'll get it" and it goes back and forth a few times before someone finally settles in on picking up the check. In other words, it's pretty common in the US to offer something several times before it's finally settled. Maybe the woman just assumed the hairdresser in Brussels was just doing what this woman is accustomed to. Think about it: If you're in the US, and you say something like "I'll get the check" don't you usually expect to hear a faint, "No, thanks, you don't have to." If anyone says "Ok, thanks." you can bet s/he isn't American