Dirt Cheap Madrid

In Madrid, only bars accept tips. If you noticed, there is no sign in Spanish for tips. This is because the bar only expects American tourists to leave tips. They know that it is a custom in the States to leave tips for each drink or meal. Spanish people certainly won’t turn down extra money. However, you won’t see Spanish leaving tips themselves. Tipping is not common in Spain. Although in mid-price or expensive restaurants, Spanish leave bits of their change after they paid their bill. Unlike the Americans, they don’t dig into their pockets for tips.

Spain is different from England and France. In those countries, tipping is a must. If you really want to leave tips, then you can go for 5% as opposed to the standard 10%.

Another important advice is that you do not give cab drivers in Spain any tip. Just give them the cab fare. You also have to be careful of your things when riding the cab. They can smell a tourist from the locale. If you can, just take the public transportation.

The Spaniards say, “Spain is different.” They have traditions that are different from Europe as well as from the rest of the world. Their views on giving tips are one example of that difference.

Visiting European cities on a tight budget? Check out our other dirt cheap guides!

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Barcelona budget travel guide.
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Birmingham budget travel guide.
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Istanbul budget travel guide.
London budget travel guide.
Rome budget travel guide.
Vienna budget travel guide.