Cyprus-Forum.com

[Rikos]

I've been to Kypros twice (10 and 20 years ago). I have another trip I am putting together in early 2004. While I am sure much has changed, I hope one thing has not - the social and gregarious manner of the natives!

I have an etiquette question. I am aware that in many instances, gratuity (tip) is already added to a bill, in other cases, it is not.

When gratuity is added, and the service or the attitude was really excellent, what is the customary extra amount to give? For example, let's say the staff in a mountain taverna were very energetic, social, talkative and went out of their way to make me feel welcome (as has always been my experience). Leaving too much extra may be regarded as crass commercialism from the "wealthy American" and may have the very bad result of offending the same people I have just befriended. Yet, I would not want to walk out without adding a little something to the standard tip. Do I add another 5 percent? Do I just leave the coins from my change and keep the paper money? Is it usually 50 cents, a pound?

When gratuity is not added, what is the customary percentage or flat amount? Is it expected that more than, or less than, this amount should be left in accordance with the level of service? For example, in much of the USA, 15 percent is generally expected. If service was great, 20 percent is appreciated and somewhat expected. If service was poor, 10 pecent. And if service was very bad to non-existant, we usually leave 0. In the few cases where a server was rude, we leave 1 cent, just to make the point that we thought about the tip and decided they didn't deserve one. So, I wish to be very careful about how I select my tipping methods. I do not wish to deliver an unintended message.

This may seem like a minor question, but in my case, it is very serious. I have made up my mind to retire in Kypros. I am making this trip, in part, to look for a small plot of land in the mountains where I will build my new life in years to come. The last thing I want to do is offend my new neighbours! I wish to be remembered as considerate and readily accepted as part of the "established culture."

[Aris]

Hello Rikos!

The service charge here is 10% i believe. Still you are almost always expected to leave a tip for waiters delivery boys and taxi drivers. The how much you leave depends on the place, the service, and who you are. (they would expect more if you arrived there with the latest model from Mercedes, and much less if you where driving an old 50cc motorcycle).

I would say that about 10%-15% is the standard in most cases, but you can leave more if service was exceptional. I doubt any waiter would be offended if you leave more money.

Today at a restaurant I visit regularly the bill was 14.5 and I left 16. I didn't use the waiters much, so i think that 1.5 pounds was more than enough.

One thing that has changed since the last time you came is that now there are many foreigners working at restaurants, bars and cafes. Mainly young girls from eastern europe, some asians, and some british also. I would say that in the cities and tourist areas foreigners that do this job are more than cypriots.

[Rikos]

Thank you very much indeed!

I suppose I cannot avoid the tourist areas. Certainly I'll have to fly in and out of Larnaka, travel the main road to Paphos and get a hotel there. I imagine I'll have the occassional meal in Paphos also. I hope to spend most of my time driving through the moutain villages, looking for land opportunities.

Still, it is good to know what to expect in the tourist areas. You are correct in that I would be wondering where I was with so many aliens waiting on tables! I've been warned to expect vast areas of concrete and brick along the coastlines, so I guess all these new places need someone to provide the service!

[Aris]

No problem

Even in our villages most of the same rules apply, especially the ones that get a lot of visitors.

Villages around Paphos are full with British retirees now. Over 60% of the construction industry in Paphos is made for British retirees, and maybe this number will increase once we enter the EU.