Tipping

Tipping in the Czech Republic is commonly expected of foreign visitors.  Foreign visitors are expected to tip at least 10%. (N.B. This practice holds true mainly in Prague and leading tourist "meccas" such as Cesky Krumlov, not in the general countryside, where foreigners are not expected to do anything more than locals.)

Locals rarely leave a substantial tip, often leaving a few Korun from the change rounding up to the nearest 5 or 10.  This practice  is changing as the economy grows, however most Czechs will only tip when service is extraordinary. Service here is unlike in many other places in the world. Service staff is often sullen to dour, as are the Czechs in general. Judge not by smile-quotients, but by whether the order was taken promptly, the correct food was delivered, the bill was added up correctly and the food was good. Czech waiters do not routinely ask whether you enjoyed your meal or everything was to your liking. In many cases, if tourists try to indicate they really enjoyed their meal or a particular dish, they are met with absolutely blank ("Little Orphan Annie") stares, as this practice is wholly foreign to the Czechs themselves.

Credit cards are somewhat new to the majority of the country ,with the exception of Prague and other major cities, and tipping by credit card is considered undesirable, as many establishments will take some, if not all, of a credit card based tip "for the house" rather than passing it along to the server.  If you are paying by credit card, give the server tip when he returns your paying slip, or if paying by cash just round the bill up as you are paying. Do not leave money on the table.

NOTE: As of April 2009 there are approximately 27 korun to the Euro, or 20 korun to the USD.

BEWARE: As of 2006, some restaurants in Prague have begun putting little disclaimers stating "Service is not included" at the bottom of the guest check. THIS IS UNTRUE!  By Czech law, service IS included, but a TIP is not included. Hoping to confuse unknowing tourists and guilt you into leaving (by local standards, obscenely large) tips is what this newest con is all about. Stick to the guidelines posted above. And never, ever reward bad, rude, sullen or sneery service! Doing so makes it harder for everyone and does nothing to help people here learn that tips are a reward, not a right!