Were you ever confused with tipping in Croatia?
Determining how much and when to tip a waiter is complicated enough in the country where you live, let alone when you travel somewhere. Various customs, rules, and methods of calculating tips are diverse in all countries in the world.
Moreover, each country has its own set of unwritten rules that tourists are most often not familiar with. For example, the US has a reputation for being the country with the longest tradition of giving tips.
On the other hand, many European countries are known for their policy of not leaving them.
If we look at Asian countries whose cultures are entirely different from those in the West, leaving tips can put us in very uncomfortable situations. Even greater confusion is created by countries that do not have this tradition. In some of their cities listed as tourist destinations, tourists are expected to leave tips for the service they get. But what’s it like in Croatia?
Is it Preferrable to Tip in Croatia?
Although tips are optional in Croatia, they are expected. Most waiters agree that, as part of the travel culture, you should tip your waiter. Salaries are not high, and every extra tip comes in handy, so if guests are satisfied with the service, people working in the appreciate that little sign of gratitude.
Naturally, Croatians won’t expect you to pay 10 percent of the bill like it’s the custom in the US. Waiters, receptionists and any other employees in the service sector leave it to the guests to make a decision.
It’s easy to tip when you’re paying with cash. Nonetheless, it’s an entirely different story with paying by card.
Unlike other tourist countries, most card payment devices in Croatia do not have “tips” in restaurants as an additional option. Therefore, if you want to leave change for the waiter, you can leave it in cash after paying with your credit card.
Since most bars and cafes do not accept credit cards, this is an issue you should not worry about. But, if you are satisfied with the service, it is common to round up your account or leave a small amount.
For instance, if your bill is 47 Kunas, round it to 50. If you, by chance, only have 47 Kunas, don’t worry. No one is going to chase you down the street.
Is Tipping in Croatia an Unnecessary Nuisance Rather than a Custom?
In case you already visited Croatia, you know that tipping isn’t a requirement. Most locals never tipped a waiter in their life. It’s a kind of a nuisance for them since they have to watch out for every change they have left.
However, the already mentioned low salaries and the sign of appreciation for the service make tipping a beautiful custom from satisfied clients. Although you probably know how to tip for a service, here’s a little reminder on how they do it in Croatia.
Tipping in Bars and Cafes
Croatians are known to enjoy their cup of coffee every day. They mostly drink it in their local cafes, where leaving a tip is an exception rather than a custom. A waiter at a local bar wouldn’t expect you to tip him or her.
Bartenders at bars and nightclubs, on the other hand, have little more privilege when it comes to earning money from tipping. It’s expected from you to tip a waiter, or at least to round up the bill in bars and nightclubs, whether you’re a tourist or a local.
Tipping in Restaurants
Tipping etiquette in restaurants is the same in every city. Even the locals respect it (well, at least most of the time.) If you want to leave a tip in a restaurant, make sure it amounts to approximately 10 percent of your bill.
Tipping in Croatia is kind of necessary if you go to a restaurant. Sometimes, the tip will already be included in the price, so check your bill when paying. If you’re paying with cash, it’s appropriate to round up the sum even if the tip was included.
Tipping in Hotels
Hotels are the places where you come to relax and sleep. They should represent a peaceful place where you can rest from the day-long sightseeing.
People working in hotels often have small salaries, so if you want to make your stay as comfortable as possible, make sure to tip your bellboys and chambermaids. Who knows, maybe they’ll go an extra mile in their work to thank you.
Tipping in Taxis
Croatians like to use taxi services. They became especially popular after the arrival of Uber and Bolt, the apps where you can easily order your ride.
Although you pay for the rides by card, it’s expected to leave a small tip for the driver. Especially if he needed to pick you up a few hundred meters away from your starting point.
Also, if you use the regular taxi service, you’ll have to pay by cash. Make sure you always round up the bill. It’s a polite way of saying your ride was nice, and you arrived on time.
Tipping for Other Sevices
The usual haircut and makeup in Croatia won’t cost you as much as in your home country. Plus, good hairdressers are easy to find.
Still, gratuity on services from a hairdresser or a makeup artist isn’t obligatory. The same goes for masseurs or even tattoo artists. But, if you feel the person has done an excellent job, it’s only fair to tip them anywhere from 5 to 10 percent of the total price for your hairdo, makeup, massage, or your beautiful new tattoo.
Do You Think Tipping in Croatia is Obligatory in Tourism?
Tipping in Croatia isn’t necessarily a cultural norm nor a custom. Some locals will opt to give tips, while others never do.
However, if you’re visiting Croatia, tipping is a nice gesture to all employees whose service made you happy.
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