Tips on tipping

     The Select Belvedere is a long ship of well over 100 feet.  It is not as large as many of ships like it, which means that there are less than a hundred people on board. That is one sitting at dinner and never is anything too busy. We took this longboat from Passau Austria to Budapest Hungary and back. This photo was taken at berth in Bratislava, Slovakia. The groups we go on are all inclusive which means no tipping. In the countries themselves, most tipping is unnecessary. Tipping in places like cabs or cafes is a matter of rounding up. Say the cab ride was 5.6 Euros, the tip is ,4 for a total of 6 Euros.
     Now, while tipping is unnecessary for tour guides and waitresses on the boat, we realize that our income and economy exceeds that of these folks, Rather than an afterthought and rather than running around looking for an envelope at the last minute, we pack nice "thank you" cards in our suitcase. You do not need to feel it necessary to tip in Europe, We don't. We like to do it.
     In the United States, we are 20 percent tippers. At special times and for special reasons we tip more. During the Covid-19 Pandemic we have chosen to take the money sent to us by the government and turn it into  $50 and $100 bills to add on to the regular tips for those who have lost income,