TIPPING IN ESTONIA
In the U.S. tipping is customary and expected for everything from lackluster to outstanding service. It is an etiquette that is ingrained in all trades, from wait staff at restaurants to our baristas, valets, cab drivers, porters, and many more trades.
The questions `when?` and `how much?` that surround tipping can leave some travelers confused, as the practice varies. This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
Tipping in Estonia operates on a very casual basis so you are unlikely to cause offense by not tipping enough or at all. Read on to learn tipping etiquette in Estonia.
The official currency in Estonia is the Euro. Check OANDA for latest exchange rates (httpss://www1.oanda.com/currency/converter/).
US Dollars and other major currencies can be easily exchanged locally in banks or bureaux de change or prior to departure. Credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in most of the major hotels, restaurants and shops. Use of American Express is not as common.
Tipping is highly voluntary, however, if you have been satisfied with the service you received in a restaurant, it is customary (and polite) to tip around 10% on top of the bill, and in many places expected for satisfactory or good service. If you are really happy with the service received, leave more, just as you please. The tip is never included in the bill (it is not allowed to do so).
Tipping bartenders isn't expected, you may see a tip jar on the counter to throw change in though.
Hotel staff won’t usually expect a tip but leaving USD $2-3 per day for housekeeping and USD $1 per bag for bellboys is a nice gesture.
Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?Tipping a taxi driver isn't common or expected. You can round up to the nearest Euro to make things easier and it is generally appreciated.
Final Thoughts:Tipping is something new to Estonia and started once they received their independence and the locals began to travel more. Even then 10% is the most you should tip while in Estonia.