Travel advice on tipping, eating out and hotels/apt.

[Gylden]

I would like to hear from anyone, about in general what is the custom for various tipping in both Ukraine and Russia. Also if anyone has experienced so called "scams" in regard to restaurant dinning or hotel stays etc. 

[Kievman]

Hello,

Tipping in Ukraine is usually only done by foreigners. Locals don't really have this custom. In fact leaving extra money used to cause confusion when I 1st moved to Ukraine. Still today, a tip to a taxi man is never expected. You negotiate a price if you take one from the street and that remains the price. Even for taxis booked over the telephone 52 Hrivna quoted means 52 paid.
 
I always leave a few hrivna to waitresses (10%), coat room attendants (5 hrivna) and occasionaly to Sasha (20 hrivna) the doorman in Avalon.

Scams are possible everywhere. I don't use Credit cards as a habit. NEVER NEVER pick up money that is on the pavement. In Moscow the practice I hear is to have a sign, in Russian, saying "Don't touch the money" so locals know to leave it. Don't even interact with someone saying "Hey, is that your money?". Just walk away, any interaction or feedback hooks you in to the whole affair until the "Policeman" arrives!!!! You'll get the occasional idiot appraoch you saying he needs money for gas as he ran out and will be fired if he's late for work showing you some nonsense ID. They can be fun to mess around with if you're in the mood but best refuse and walk on.

A good tip is to know the usual fare for a taxi so you don't get scammed. 30 hrivna in the centre of Kiev will cover a 3/4 kilometre journey. You could haggle that to 20 if you are bothered.

[BillyB]

NEVER NEVER pick up money that is on the pavement. In Moscow the practice I hear is to have a sign, in Russian, saying "Don't touch the money" so locals know to leave it. Don't even interact with someone saying "Hey, is that your money?". Just walk away, any interaction or feedback hooks you in to the whole affair until the "Policeman" arrives!!!!

Last trip to Ukraine I was on, someone walking in front of me dropped something. Being the nice guy I am, I picked it up and returned it to him but he said he lost something else. Guess what? The policeman in street clothes arrived flashing a badge thinking I'm a thief threating to take me to the police station unless he can check my wallet for the other guys money. I got pissed and felt like punching the cop in the face because I was sure he probably wasn't a cop. I'll post more details in my other thread later on how I got out of it without them getting any money out of me. Those guys depend on tourists to get scared. Just get angry and give the impression the situation can get violent. Make sure you're not dealing with a real cop.

[Gylden]

BillyB,
Let me know which thread to look on, I am interested in how you got out of it.

[BillyB]

BillyB,
Let me know which thread to look on, I am interested in how you got out of it.

Posted it here Gylden: http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=9838.new

I agree with Kievman not to use credit cards or at least don't let them out of your site making it difficult for someone to copy the numbers on the card.

[Gylden]

BillyB,
Thanks, I will read it, I have never heard of the picking up coins thing, but I did notice a few coins laying on the sidewalk, just got lucky I guess and never picked them up! 
Anyway I did have an experience with my atm card being abused, but I was covered and got my money back. I myself prefer to use my credit card, but I allways keep my receipts and control my purchases with internet bank, as soon as I am back from a trip. Also I don't use the card if I question the integrity of the establishment.
Maybe the credit card rules a a little different here in Norway??
One thing I did notice at restaurants is that you often find items on the menu priced per 100 grams. After the first time I got a surprise (ordered fish and got a bill for 500 grams of fish, which is usually enough to feed four) I allways tell them how many grams I would like.

[Mir]

I don't know what is the reason for not using a credit card.

I have always found using a credit cart is safer and more convenient then carrying a wad of money in your pocket.

Yes credit card fraud is always possible but money can be easily recovered.
On the other hand if your cash is stolen then getting it back may be impossible.
I experienced the money on the floor scam once, even knowing it exists I still picked up the wad of cash (by instinct) and ran after the man who dropped it and ran ahead. He stopped and turned towards me and I gave the money to him and just kept walking despite him trying to shake my hand etc.
On another occasion I was stopped by a man asking for directions. As I was trying to tell him I am not local another man arrived brandshing a police badge and asking for papers. We did not have any so he said we will need to go to police station. I said yes lets go and then he says;'No its OK we only want to question this man, you can go'
You can also get pestered by a man who starts walking with you trying to be friendly and then starts asking for money. I once had this and when I said I have no money they says we can go to ATM and you can get some.
I then started walking towards a police officer and this man disappeared.

I am not sure if going violent is the best way of dealing with these situations although I agree that this way you will feel more macho.

[Gylden]

Mir,
I agree, I don't have a fear of using my credit card or bank card, just like to be cautious and aware when I can.
I usually don't have a problem with beggars or such and not so often by taxi drivers or those mini buss drivers. I have been told that my appearance is somewhat intimidating, although I've allways thought of myself as more a teddy bear kind of guy. I am not prone to violence in any case, but also am confident to be able to hold my own if necessary. I have on a few occasions pointed my finger at someone who was being annoying though, never with the thought of any violence though, just with the intention of giving the impression that I have had enough and only on a rare occasion. It seemed to work, although I am not proud of it.
At any rate it is interesting to hear about all of your different experiences and I am getting more ideas from RWD all the time.
I think if I ever find myself in the situation you have described I will insist to go to the police station and it may not be a bad idea to put in my contact list on my phone the police station, in order to call and verify badge number and name of any questionable officer.

Thanks!

[BillyB]

I don't know what is the reason for not using a credit card.

I have always found using a credit cart is safer and more convenient then carrying a wad of money in your pocket.

I keep about $700 in my secret compartment in my belt. The money doesn't have to be in your pocket but you may need cash if you get robbed or you need to bribe yourself out of trouble from a real cop.   Do not keep all your money in your wallet. Spread it around to various pockets. If you are walking in an area such as the metro where there could be lots of pickpockets, your wallet is better off in your front pocket.

Credit cards should be saved for emergencies. What if you have to go home early because of your kids had a serious accident and had purchase a ticket only to find out that your credit card is maxed out?

I may use one credit card for some situations like when the dates want a $300 meal and $400 shoes but I keep two cards back at the apartment for real emergencies.

[I/O]

I would like to hear from anyone, about in general what is the custom for various tipping in both Ukraine and Russia. Also if anyone has experienced so called "scams" in regard to restaurant dinning or hotel stays etc.

I reserve tipping in Russia for extra special service situations and no that isn't an oxymoron, it does happen. Mostly, tipping by the locals I associate with is reserved for hospitality staff in clubs or restaurants.

Being a "stupid" foreigner in Russia, if I have been scammed in restaurants, cafes or hotels I have been too stupid to know.

[Kievman]

Some updates:-

Not coins- wads of $ bills in an elastic.

The problem with using credit cards is more the hassle involved when someone steals your identity on them or uses them 5 minutes later half way across the world. Best saved for the emergency as mentoned.

Also, for visitors to Kiev, Maidan police stop points for passport etc have increased over the last 6 months.

Arkadia (Odessa) last summer had become a joke with anyone speaking English on the road down to the clubs being stopped and paying "tax".