Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
card: full card number, whether you are the primary or secondary
cardholder, the cardholder's name exactly as printed on the card,
billing address, home phone number, circumstances of the loss or
theft, and identification verification (your birth date, your mother's
maiden name, or your Social Security number—memorize this,
don't carry a copy). If you are the secondary cardholder, you'll also
need to provide the primary cardholder's identification-verification
details. You can generally receive a temporary card within two or
three business days in Europe.
If you promptly report your card lost or stolen, you typically
won't be responsible for any unauthorized transactions on your
account, although many banks charge a liability fee of $50.
Tipping
Tipping in the Czech Republic isn't as automatic and generous
as it is in the US, but for special service, tips are appreciated, if
not expected. As in the US, the proper amount depends on your
resources, tipping philosophy, and the circumstances, but some
general guidelines apply.
Restaurants:
Tipping is an issue only at restaurants that have
table service. If you order your food at a counter, don't tip.
At Czech restaurants that have a waitstaff, service is included,
although it's common to round up the bill after a good meal (usu-
ally 5-10 percent; e.g., for a 370-Kč meal, pay 400 Kč). If you
warm up the waiter with a few Czech words, such as please (
pro-
sím;
PROH-zeem) and thank you (
děkuji;
DYACK-khuyi), you'll
get better service and won't be expected to tip more than a local.
But if you greet your waiter in English, he'll want a 15 percent tip.
Believe me: The slightest attempt at speaking Czech (see phrases
on page 270) will turn you from a targeted tourist into a special
guest, even in the most touristy restaurants.
Taxis:
To tip the cabbie, round up about 5 percent. If the cab-
bie hauls your bags and zips you to the airport to help you catch
your flight, you might want to toss in a little more. But if you feel
like you're being driven in circles or otherwise ripped off, skip the
tip. Again, if you use some Czech words, your cabbie will be less
likely to try to scam you.
Special Services:
It's thoughtful to tip someone who shows
you a special sight and who is paid in no other way. Tour guides
at public sights sometimes hold out their hands for tips after they
give their spiels; if I've already paid for the tour, I don't tip extra,
though some tourists do (about 20-30 Kč), particularly for a job
well done. I don't tip at hotels, but if you do, give the porter about
30 Kč for carrying bags and leave about the same amount in your
room at the end of your stay for the maid if the room was kept
clean. In general, if someone in the service industry does a super
