h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Great article and spot on in most respects. I have to disagree about tipping though. Czech's don't tip. They may round the bill up to the nearest 10 Kč but even this is not expected. One way of showing your appreciation is to include the waiter in a round of shots (panak) which are often ordered along with the beer. I advise ordering small ones (20ml) as you will be expected to down it in one!

You are absolutely right. Czech's don't tip much, but I think visitors, expats and just generally those with a higher disposable income should. Also, because tipping isn't that common, you really get remembered when you do. There is usually a marked increase in friendliness and service that is well worth the investment.

Also, I worked in a bar/restuarant in Prague for 2 years and if it wasn't for tips I would have starved (well not really, but tips made a huge difference).

DJ Rat?

Fair enough. I suppose it depends on where you are. I tend to discourage any foreign friends from overtipping as I think it encourages bars to feel they can rip of tourists with impunity. You must have noticed the number of places (especially in Prague) who find ways to inflate your bill if you are not a local. Things like outragious service charges (22.5% at the Ragegast pub and ONLY added to tourist's bills) and 40kc charge for bread. It is ok for tourist bars to charge high prices but it should be one price for all wherever you choose to go. Did you ever come across this? As a foreigner living on local wages I would think it would be especially annoying.

Yes DJ RAT, mluvis dobry cesky

Yeah, I have come across the overcharging thing. I have a bit of an advantage as I speak Czech fairly fluently (my mother is Czech and I've lived in Prague almost eleven years). It's not immediately obvious that I'm a foreigner, so I don't get much trouble. However I do know it happens (although nowhere near as much as 5-6 years ago) and it is very annoying.

Charging extra for non-czechs is deeply illegal so feel free to call them on it.

Over-tipping can be taken by the staff as patronising in a 'bloody foreigners throwing their money around' kind of way and sometimes I have to restrain visiting American friends who are used to tipping 15-25%.

Bad news about the Radegast Pub... I haven't been there for ages, but used to like it alot. Glad I didn't include it in the articles pubs bit.

Yes you are right, it is getting better, slowly. It is a pity that although such sharp practice is illegal, I have never heard of anybody being prosecuted for it. The authorities don't really want to know. I remember a case about 8 years ago. We had a class trip (pomaturitni studium) to Prague and decided to visit the Jewish Museum. The sign outside said Dospeli Sedmdesat Adults 450. We had an English lektor with us so of course bought him a ticket for 70 but the doorman turned him away when he realised he couldn't speak Czech. No amount of arguing could change his mind. Very embarrassing.

If you have been over charged in a pub or restaurant you could try to argue but it will do no good. It has been known for the staff to call the police who will invariably side against the tourist. On some (rare) occassions the staff may resort to violence. You have no real choice other than pay up and it down to experience. Maybe there should be a blacklist to warn people away from the worst places.

There is one reason for not tipping. Traditionally, the waiter job has a very low reputation, when kids are small, parents often tease them "do you want to be a waiter (if you do not study hard)?". Perhaps you have noticed that when you go to a restaurant, the waiters often do not treat you with the respect that they should. From the waiter viewpoint, you are "work". Perhaps you have noticed that most waiters do not smile at their guests. Guests are "annoing insect" for many waiters. Ridiculous, right? I agree. In addition to that, waiters often rob you. When they add up prices on your bill, they often add some beer or shot extra to rob you. From the other viewpoint, if the reputation of waiters is so low, how can you like them and tip them well. Many guests presume that the waiter is not fair, and just wants to steal money from you.