I recently experienced something that left me utterly gobsmacked and believe me, I've seen a lot in my years of globetrotting. I was checking out of a lovely hotel in Mykonos, Greece—sun, sea, and... sticker shock.
A Shocking Tipping Request in Mykonos
As I handed my credit card over to the front desk, the clerk slipped it into the card reader and handed it back to me. And there it was—like a surprise party you didn't want—an American-style tipping prompt. What percentage of my bill would I like to tip?
I was genuinely flummoxed, staring back at the two tanned, guilt-wielding staff members. "Sorry," I stammered. "Tip for what, exactly?"
"Well, you know, if you were happy with our service," one replied, referencing the dinner reservation they made for me at Scorpios. Hang on, isn’t that the concierge's job?
In utter disbelief, I clarified, "You want a tip on the entire hotel bill? Including the already-inflated high-season room rate, taxes, and the tips I’ve already left?" They did.
Of course, I didn't pay it. The sheer absurdity of it! But it got me wondering—would they ask a local Athenian for a tip? Not a chance, according to my Greek friends.
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