HOW MUCH Should You ACTUALLY TIP in Prague

[@borschbandit]

Thank you for making your videos. I used several of them to plan my recent trip across the Czech Republic.

[@CaltaTomas]

Its freakin shame we don't speak better english so you could just ask people

[@MrMersin]

Great information, thanks! I just want to emphasize: In Czech Republic it is customary just to round up the bill, to make it convenient for everyone, especially regarding the change in coins. So play with coins, not percentages. Additional tips are not generally demanded or expected, only in touristy places. So just follow the locals. e.g. If you were served food or drinks in restaurant and the bill is 285CZK, round it up to 300CZK. If it was 855CZK, you can round it up to 880CZK or 900CZK. If it was very special, by all means one can give more. But really no pressure. If you will not tip, that is okay. Heck, if a waiter or a restaurant requests tip, I will always say 0%.

[@tomwolf2981]

It‘s not only the cashless payment but also the continuous rise of prices which prevents people from tipping. Beer prices almost doubled during the last few years.

[@jameshan7541]

Thank you Valerie! Especially the ‘DPH’ explanation. That will help many tourists. I had to ask about that at a restaurant and it was explained to me by the waiter but it is good to confirm it through your video! Keep up the great work!! Prague is truly “The most beautiful city in the world” as proclaimed by Time Magazine!!!

[@kolomaznik333]

Well DPH (VAT) is actually a scam, very hideous, but created by state... As any other tax.

[@SolarisUrbinoFan]

Thank you for that video. I was wondering, how people do it here and even the Czech people I know had very different answers. Now I know why.

[@dorivalcamargojr2953]

If you order something at Bageterie Boulevard, at the terminal, it "suggests" you to add a tip.

[@anthonyf.9457]

You’re so funny. Those first 20 seconds were funny😂😂 great tips and video as always😍🫶🏾

[@chrishutchison5031]

RPG!!! This is great information that every traveler should know!!! Also, be on the lookout for an Italian friend of mine who is in Prague today. I told her to look out for you. Thanks for all the great content!!!

[@Deepak-vp3eh]

Great Valerie😊

[@johnh7718]

The DPH information was helpful. The rest, as an American, made me chuckle. 7-10 percent would likely get us banned from returning to the restaurant.

[@RezaKhan-pp1tz]

Great video as always by lovely girl ❤!

[@gingerbeard3341]

Most of the time, just round it up! if especially good service, 10%. If bad service, no tip. I have to say I see bad service regularly in Prague, and I hate when asked if I would like to leave a tip - If I want to I can leave it cash even if I pay by card, or I will bring it up myself. Also a lot of places have the tip option included in the terminal and you can put any amount you want.

[@beatursli1315]

Dear Valerie or Valery I'm fascinated by your "form" and the different themes on Prague you show - with a lot of performance and humour!! And I' m surprised of your english skills. And you look very good! I appro iate very much your different humour and your ob ious interest in history - the vistory of rhe differen bohemian smaller cities as well as the different parts of Prague. And also the social history as the prostitution - even during the socialist/communist time..........

[@stevenschwartzhoff1703]

It would be nice to know the source of the tip map you used. You should also note that many people will not tip at all (or simply round to 5 up if in cash) when having the standard lunch menu ("set meal"/menička) for lunch druing the work day, but will tip considerably more for an evening meal or night out (when you are out more for a social event than simply getting nourishment) where 10percent seems about normal now. Czechs are much more likely than, say, Americans to go out to a sit-down restaurant for their every-day lunch option. That may distort any stitistical significance of an average tip (lots of non-tip quick lunches, vs less high-tip evening meals and drinks). Still, quite a good video.

[@terryc522]

Tip? “Don’t eat yellow snow, unless you just spilled your beer on that exact spot” Tipping is such a strange thing, like tipping waitstaff in certain parts of Europe is insulting. But in the USA, wait staff /bar staff have a lower minimum wage, because the government knows that they will get tips.

[@Robtwenty-six]

As an American, especially here at home, why can’t the process of eating out be simplified? Just bill me one all inclusive price that covers everything? And pay your help accordingly. The closest I found to this was in London. They just add a service charge to the bill and bring the contactless terminal to your table. I wish they would bring the terminal to your table here in the US instead of disappearing with your card and bringing it back.

[@kookarini]

If you are paying by card, I noticed that there was no tip line on the terminal, so in advance, tell the waiter or bartender to authorize the round up amount.

[@valeriestanson9907]

Your videos are so helpful!

[@redstone51]

So what you are saying is, if you give me a TERMINAL, which I have never heard of until now, I can't give you a tip on the side🤔? Are tips also subject to income tax? I always have been a good tipper but to be asked by a machine how much I am going to tip would prompt me not to return to that restaurant!!! I know this is not the case all over Prague but it is unsettling some one would put that into practice. I certainly hope that doesn't become a standard business practice! This video was quite enlightening to say the least and I sincerely commend you for creating it. BTW- Valery, have you considered acting? I loved your portrayal! GREAT VIDEO AS ALWAYS! ❤🙏👌

[@mracer8]

That is all depend on the terminal programming, for example in US, all resturant cc terminal will ask how much a tip in term of %/total would you like to enter

[@Pidalin]

Most of people just round it up, nobody forces you to give extra money, but you ofcourse can and a lot of people do it. It also depends on how often you go to restaurants, when you go there every day, you just can't waste money like that, when you go there rarely, you will more likely tip more. And ofcourse in fast foods and places like that, nobody is tipping at all. Also, tipping is not required in more modern places with young people where you can even pay by card, but when you go to classic restaurant, it's more like expected that you at least round it. 3:10 - this american style of paying into the book is not native here and it's very rare here in Czechia, we don't even know how it works, here you pretty much always pay directly to the waiter, you never leave money in some book, I saw this kind of paying for the first time in Poland and Latvia and I didn't know what I am supposed to do, I just let money there and left and then waitress was chasing me with my change back, they didn't understand that I don't want it back. 😀 When you pay by card, some people give extra tip in cash, because it's pointless to add it to the bill, you want to give tip to the waiter, not to the owner.

[@serebii666]

3:10 that is no "American style" It was (and still is) the traditional method of paying here in Czechia at restaurants (not pubs), remaining common especially at higher end restaurants. The little book may also be dose or a small box, which has small bon-bons or business cards of the restaurant for safekeeping. It is (was) also done for the purpose of privacy, so you could pay and leave whatever you wanted, without just leaving money on the table (which is a bit gauche and otherwise might be easily swiped). I went to Marie B a few weeks ago and it was like this, even though I paid by card (I put my card into the chest and they then came with the terminal), and same when I recently went to Pot au feu, Miyabi, Field etc.

[@Pidalin]

@@serebii666 I don't know if this was common during first republic or something, but it's definitely not common now and I am not visiting snobish restaurants, so I don't know how it works there, but this paying "to the book" is very stresfull for me because I just don't understand how it works, what if I have only big bills? I need to pay to the waiter, I have no idea what to do with these books, I saw it for the first time in Poland few years ago, never here in Czechia. So how does it work? Can you explain? What am I supposed to do when nobody asks me, they just put it in front of me? What if I want my change back or what if I want to give tip? How am I supposed to do it? I mostly don't have exact amount of money to pay my bill, so I need some money back, so should I put it into book and then wait 5 hours before they finally take it and ask them during that? That's illogical, it would be more efficient if they just arrive with big f wallet or terminal and did it in a normal Czech way.

[@serebii666]

@@Pidalin fancier restaurants are not necessarily snobbish, they literally exist to give you a nice experience, and the book literally exists for privacy and comfort. It exists so as to not make it seem the servers is pushing you out - for you to take your time, as conversation at the table winds down. That is also why you are offered coffee or a digestif at the same time as you ask for the bill. " what if I have only big bills" You place your large bills in the book, they take it, and return with exact change, and then you leave whatever amount you want. "then wait 5 hours before they finally take it" lol. You place it to the edge of the table as a signal for them to take it. If you don't want them to return (i.e. you're giving the rest of the sum as a tip) you simply say "je to v pořádku" when they come to take it. "be more efficient" Going out to a restaurant and having a good time isn't about efficiency, it's about comfort, enjoying the moment, and entertainment. "normal Czech way" They new way, as payment by card, but especially the invention of mobile terminals and their diffusion became common, and restaurants began to focus on the speediest turnover rate with their tables to maximize revenue, all in the past 10-15 years.

[@Pidalin]

@@serebii666 I still don't understand it, how is it pushy when I tell them that I want to pay? That means that I want to pay and leave, pushy is vice versa that book, because it takes more time and it seems like they don't want to let me go. And I consider myself a cultural person, I go to theaters, to galleries etc...and still, I don't remember any restaurant where this would be standard here in Czechia and I really don't care about money that much, I go even to more expensive places, not that often, but sometimes I do. But I noticed that a new generation of young waiters is that friendly that it's annoying, constantly asking something, if I want coffee or cake or something....if I wanted it, I would ask for it. I think that classic restaurants are pretty much dead, I am that bothered by this new style, that I tend to go to KFC or to some place with no service where I go to the bar to order and pay and it's more comfortable and it's not pushy. The most annoying thing in Czech culture is forcing you another beer when you barely finished previous one, I don't want to vomit after every single visit of pub. When I am in a beer garden with no service outside, I feel much more comfortable and relaxed than in a restaurant or traditional pub. "You place your large bills in the book, they take it, and return with exact change, and then you leave whatever amount you want. " That's completely ridiculous, you literally force them to do more work, more steps and looking for change back and then you tell them "keep it"?? I would be pretty angry if I was a waiter. It's just snobbish way and it's completely illogical and inefficient. If you like it and it feels for you like you are in a better place, then ok, it's your bussines, but I don't think that paying to book means that it's a better place, it's more like better opportunity to scam you. Also, put my big money into book and then wait is really not comfortable, and maybe it's even illegal to just walk away with your money, what if they don't return? It's your word against their word, they should always manipulate with your cash in front of you, this paying to book should be illegal. Imagine you are paying by card and they just walk away with your card like in USA, can you imagine it? Why it's weird with card for us, but you consider it normal with cash? BTW, when they give you 50g of meal for double price than in normal restaurant, then it IS snobbish. But sometimes it's annoying even vice versa when they give you svíčková with 7 dumblings.

[@keesterberg]

The tipping is becoming more and more of a nightmare in Prague. In many places in the center of Prague, the tip or service charge are included and when you ask them to take it off the bill, the option is "not available". I am generally a pretty good tipper but the places that force the mandatory service charge, will no longer benefit from our visits.

[@davebryant7114]

Just got back from a week in Prague (wow it was hot) and notice that beer was commonly being sold in 0.4l instead of 0.5l - is this new? I do not seem to remember 0.4l on previous trips (may be wrong). Thank you for your videos, they made our trip even more enjoyable.

[@OxholeBassBananas]

Usually traditional Czech pubs serve 0,5l (large) and 0,3l (small) beers. The 0,4l culture is quite recent, but I think it is related to recent growing popularity of craft beers by smaller breweries, so you usually get these in 0,4l. Probably because craft beers are often more expensive and stronger than usual czech lager. I guess they are trying to compensate that with the reduced size.

[@jamespppyacek342]

You correct. I have heard those three things online a bunch. I just always leave 10%. Good deal compared to the U.S. But why can't we leave cash? Great video, as always.

[@mracer8]

You can leave cash, You can always leave cash! but chance are if you use cc for payment, leaving cash mean skipping out and not leave tips! I am just being honest here!

[@Yannickille]

No tipping here and everybody is smiling😊😊😊😊

[@Yannickille]

Very friendly people. Helpful and great

[@ycplum7062]

I am an American and an older one who still carries cash. I will sometimes leave cash.

[@Yannickille]

Cash is king❤❤

[@DSC800]

What about places that you order at the counter but they just bring it to your table & no service, or just call your number to pick it up? In the USA these places are now about getting tips too, either the tip jar or when you pay with tup buttons on the display, which is before even getting your food (what if you didn't like the food but already tipped). PS: leaving for Prague in two weeks😃

[@mracer8]

just as in US, those self service/semi self service you have no need to tips!

[@marknathan7744]

I always tipped in prague except one resturant on the old square where the waiter ignored two customers waiting to order for 15 minutes he was also cocky and uncearing so when he gave us our bill he pointed out on the menu how much it was and to tip 10% and i said dont worry your not getting one!

[@tomwolf2981]

No one with a nimble mind visits any restaurant on the Old Town Square.

[@marknathan7744]

@@tomwolf2981 when youve walked six hours and just want to sit and eat and have a pint then you do!

[@jrbergsten]

In the USA we are seeing an expectation of 20% tips, even on take aways, before receiving anything. Some of these iCrap based point of sale systems even have a selection for 25% which is really going too far.

[@jamespppyacek342]

Yup. Agreed. Heavy on the "greed" part.

[@mracer8]

@@jamespppyacek342 you don't have to pay, there is always a button that say you can add the amount you want or no! you don't have to act like a big shot and but being cheap at the same time!

[@kennethlong9416]

I went to the nightmare horror bar in Mala strana. After I ordered my drink the waitress immediately asked for a tip before I even received my drink so I walked out the door. Such bad behavior and I always leave 20% +

[@xeterexixxeterexix3157]

I am local and I never tip, employers should pay them, not us

[@aldanesh2680]

I live here for quite long time but never happened that a waiter couldn't change the payment amount to add tip

[@mracer8]

Is all in the cc machine programming, it might not have a tips function in it! sure, the resturant owner can talk to the cc provider and change the programming!

[@herrdirektor1969]

Tried to tip a Vietnamese near an indoor shopping center. They refused. 😂

[@Pidalin]

Believe me, they are happy when you leave them more money, but in their culture, they are used to pretend that they don't want it, but they definitely want it. Those Vietnamese who are here for longer time or they are next generations are already ok with our tiping culture, but those who arrived recently tend to refuse tip, but it's fake, they actually want more money. When they refuse and you still let it on the table, you can be sure they will jump for that money immediately after you leave. 😀

[@herrdirektor1969]

@@Pidalin 🤣

[@mracer8]

@@Pidalin depend on the country, they might not want or need tips back in their home country where they actually get pay a standand living, but in US, most state have no min pay for server so resturant might pay them $2-3 a hour when a min salary for other worker such as the gay who hand you the bag in McDonald is working for $12! now if you think you scan survive in US for $2 hr, good for you!

[@51TGM71]

I always tip in cash and reject anything digital.

[@Pidalin]

That's correct, because when they add it to the bill, you are just giving more money to owner who is already rich, you should tip directly to the waiter.

[@mracer8]

@@Pidalin I am 100% sure you haven't work 1 day in a resturant your whole life! that is not how cc tip work and there is no such thing as stupid server in this world!

[@Pidalin]

@@mracer8 You are talking nonsenses, if you are a waiter, you definitely want tip in cash directly to your pocket!! How is it good for you when I add it on the bill when I pay with card? You can't just take it, it goes to company account and then when you are lucky, your owner will maybe give you something from that money, or maybe not. And in these days, there is mostly some weird jar for tips, which I don't use at all because I don't want to tip to whole restaurant or coffee place, I want to tip to the waiter or to peron who made that coffee, not to some jar with sticker "TIPS" because that doesn't make sense to me, I want to help those people who work there, not owner.

[@ChrisHoly1]

A question I have is it better to leave a cash tip even when paying by card? Is the US this is usually preferred since it is easier to “not report” the tip to the tax man…

[@michaelkongstedt]

👍

[@mracer8]

How much should we tip a local tour guide? not the free tour kind, but the paid kind! thank you

[@Yannickille]

No tipping here😅😅

[@jamespppyacek342]

I thought I told you to shut up.

[@Yannickille]

@@jamespppyacek342 james james bodoh besar?

[@subashmagimithu1223]

❤

[@mrhelzbygrad7485]

"pushes the owners to come up with solution" - shall we raise wages? No not that!

[@Yannickille]

I never got a tip when I worked as a roofer, a driver, a technician, an instructor.....

[@jamespppyacek342]

Oh shut up.

[@Yannickille]

​@@jamespppyacek342james james you are irresponsible😂😂

[@mracer8]

did you get pay $2 an hr as a roofer, a driver, a technician or an instructor?

[@Yannickille]

@@mracer8 yes as a driver I get 2 $ an hour

[@Yannickille]

@@mracer8 and a beer costs 4 $

[@spacelover2675]

First 18 seconds of this video is the most normal thing that happens every time you go to a restaurant in the US now, they're like vampires.

[@Thanatosofos]

Is it ok to tip with cash even though you pay the bill with a card?🤔 I wouldn't be at all surprised if the restaurant owner (not just in Prague, mind you) pocketed the card tip.

[@Pidalin]

Yes, it's completely normal and we do it often. You don't want to give more money to owner who already is rich and prices are crazy in these days, you want to support people who work there, so you tip directly to them.

[@mracer8]

@@Pidalin The server is not blind to that tip amount on cc slip! tip in cash while pay in cc is actually more often then not the customer is not tipping and making excuse to say they will in cash! I am just being honest!

[@robertwhitacre3581]

What the biggest tip you ever got?

[@Yannickille]

Tipping : zero is the best, no drama queen, ask your boss to pay you

[@mracer8]

and where do you think that money come from? if your country/place have culture or law that demen min wages, the menu price will just go up to reflect the extra cost of doing business,

[@Yannickille]

@@mracer8 he can raise the prices and get bankrupt

[@Yannickille]

​@@mracer8the american system is crap. No tipping here and nobody is angry at you😂😂😂

[@robertsafar2908]

before seeing videos about tipping, i didnt even know it even exist.

[@mracer8]

You don't know tipping exist? I bet your tour guide LOVE you!!

[@joytekb]

I once tip czech waitress through all night drinkig 10 % or 20 % of my salary . I Wonder why.

[@bohuslavkanovsky4345]

if that was in Prag center, most likely the waitress was not Czech

[@mracer8]

she is good looking and you are trying to impress her!

[@CaltaTomas]

Some time ago i was delivering food for a member of the Tykač family, one of the richest families in Czech Republic (I am afraid to disclose full name because of the GDPR) and guess what the tip was. 0 😂 I guess I just wasnt nice enough 😂

[@RealPragueGuides]

They could tip you one of their villas without even feeling like they lost something.

[@tomasmacpro5391]

very funny

[@Yannickille]

I had many jobs in my life. Never got a tip😂😂😂😂

[@YiannisGlenn]

First !!

[@ftwyeah]

Don't like this new trend in RČ. I tip when I feel like it.

[@Thiniking]

0

[@fingersfinesilver]

Dear wonderful British people. The tip for the piano player is in MONEY - we get our drinks for FREE!

[@czdot]

You don't tip, you round it up. Done. We pay are servers, 20% percent is some American bullshit.

[@emillyslozada3438]

I had high expectations for this city and I have been very disappointed, prague is so beautiful but there is a culture here of looking you up and down all the time, people are rude in the information centers at the attractions, I do not feel it is a safe city for people of color, I would not go back and I would not recommend it either, too many bitter and rude people.

[@FlashheadX]

Restaurants prefer cash payments because they pay fees for cashless transactions. According to statistics from 2023, Czechs actually tip more when they pay by card

[@tomwolf2981]

That’s simply not true, cashless payment fees are remarkably low due to EU restrictions. And restaurants have a lot of hassle when dealing with cash as banks charge them for it. Restaurants that don‘t offer card payments have other reasons to do so (tax fraud for example). Card payment is very common in Czechia.