So, you’ve sat down and enjoyed that Brodetto, washed it down with Croatian wine such as the Malvazija and it’s your time to take care of the bill, well Croatia has a tipping culture too so don’t forget to add a few Kunas alongside your Hvala Lijepa – pretty thank you.
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Why you should tip
Most shifts are long and stressful, especially during peak tourists’ season waiters say it’s no fun. Good behavior when in such places, therefore, goes a long way. Some utility providers have even ranked the best visitors per country, and the USA is at the top as waiters say such guests never fail to tip.
It’s always good etiquette to tip after receiving excellent services, not just in restaurants and eateries but anywhere even in taxi services. And even though Croatians won’t tell you directly that they expect such tips, don’t just exit without showing any appreciation.
Who to tip and how much to tip in Croatia
As mentioned before, tipping is not expected much in Croatia, but it’s appreciated. The reason for this is service workers receive little wages; your tips, therefore, boost their morale. The culture is appreciated most in the following sectors.
Restaurants, cafes, and eateries
If the service you get from such facilities is excellent, feel free to tip. You can tip using your own style, but the recommended one is cash drops on the table so that the intended person gets it. The thing to avoid is adding the tip to the credit payment as the money won’t make its way to the staff. The good old way of leaving cash on the table is the best way to go.
Some restaurants include tip application alongside the bill so check out for words such as “Napojnica uračunata u cijenu” which means gratuity is part of the bill so you won’t need to add anything extra.
Tips in Croatia are not as high as tips in western countries, so don’t worry much. Tipping is your choice, so if the service is not to your liking, go ahead and deny the tip. However, if you received excellent service, ease your conscience with 5-15% of the bill.
Hotel attendants and doormen
Hotel attendants include concierges who help make reservations, Potters who help carry suitcases up the stairs to the rooms and maids who make your stay comfortable. Leave them with up to 30 Kunas as a token of appreciation. For hotel maids, tipping is advised for every day you spend in the hotel. A maid’s life can be stressful at times, so a little appreciation goes a long way.
Tour guides and beach vendors
Tour guides help make a trip fulfilling. If your tour guide introduces you to local trade and craft that offers those excellent first-hand experience, feel free to show your appreciation with some Kunas. Depending on the cost and length of the tour, a 10-15% tip is reasonable. But again, there’s no amount written in stone so tip as much as you enjoy.
Taxicab drivers and parking attendants
Feel free to appreciate comfortable rides too. Tips are external performance measures that help service provider learn and improve how they drive. It’s direct feedback to the quality of the driver’s skills. Most Croatia taxis, however, operate on a meter and tipping is not widely practiced. But giving out a maximum of 10% of the fare is a friendly show of appreciation.
Hairdressers and tattoo artists
If you employ the services of either of such people, appreciate them with around 10% of your bill as these are not your usual hairdressers or the go-to tattoo guy. Additionally, if the service is more than getting your hair washed, up the amount tipped. Such shows of gratuity help build relationships – you can visit the same guy the next time you’re in town and update your look.
Spa and wellness centers
Wellness culture in Croatia is all about holistic treatment and healing. A tip for services received is thus a show of appreciation to the people who work hard to make other people feel better and healthier. Hand 10-20% of your bill to the masseur or leave it with the reception.
There’re lots of other service providers to be appreciated; tipping motivates all utility-based agents as they learn which maneuvers and services are better appreciated. In the long run, it leads to an excellent service industry. Feel free to appreciate hardworking Croatian service people with the above tips.
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