[KeithF]

Originally Posted by qgrande

Yes, Europeans generally don't tip as generous as North-Americans, (and I frankly don't see a difference between continental Europeans and British or Irish on this one. There's some unhealthy German-bashing going on in this thread).

I agree...

Originally Posted by qgrande

And remember that, yes, Europeans (and that definitely includes the Brits) in certain parts of the country are of the extremely cheap and uninterested variety.

I agree, as are North Americans

Originally Posted by amparocorp

having spent 20 years making a living from tourists in key west FL and depending on tips for a good part of my income it was always a body blow when my next customers were europeans. i used to think it was because they were cheap, rude, or uneducated to the practice. i have come to realize it is because as a group they don't have any money. they are taxed to death at home. free tuition, free medical care, outstanding prisons, europe has become socialist. very few rock and roll stars from the UK keep their money there, they set up US corporations to avoid getting taxed. i took a friend of mine from KW to SD once for 5 days, he owns a small auto paint and body shop, he brought 7000 dollars cash in a pants pocket for spending money. in europe there are very few small businessmen making the kind of money we see in the US because of taxes................and those that work for someone else may have a great lifestyle, 32 hour work week, pension, medical, tuition, 5 paid weeks vacation, etc. they don't get really big salaries...........

Indeed, why go for unhealthy German bashing when you can go for bashing all of Europe!!????

I will be stunned if I pay more tax than someone earning the same in the US because I live in a 'tax haven'. But I'm still a crap tipper. I'm uncomfortable tipping, as I mentioned earlier in this thread, I tend to just add 10% because it's easier that way. It's not about having or not having money it's about culture. Most people I know are the same. They do however, regularly give to charity etc. Add to that the weakness of the Dollar to the Pound & Euro and saying we're skint is both patronising and incorrect. The UK largely avoided the recessions that both the US and large amounts of Europe have experienced in the last decade.

If we're going to do some wild generalisations...

We noticed that the 'loudest' and most vexatious tourists are almost always Americans. But when we were in Cuba, due to the lack of Americans, we noticed that the Canadians 'stepped up to the plate' to ensure the North Americans generally remained the loudest!

Now I've posted that, are there any nationalities of tourists that we've not generalised and abused?

Oh yes, Domincans! Let me just say, when they go to resorts at Easter and other holidays... [continued ad nausium]