newdad

We've read enough. The overall context of all of your posts in this thread paints a good picture of your view. Your definition of a "small eatery" says a lot. Have a good day mate.

as the old saying goes: "When in Rome..."

This and related global tipping charts can be found at the following link. You can zoom them to read all the numbers and other data.:
 
Mapped: How Much Should You Tip In Each Country?
WWW.VISUALCAPITALIST.COM How much should you tip in each country for a restaurant, or a hotel? These maps show average tips in restaurants, hotels, and taxis.  

I frequently travel to Europe and Latin America, particularly Spain, Switzerland, and Panama. I must admit, the tipping culture in the US is rather distinct. We're accustomed to tipping for almost everything. Frankly, I think tipping has become excessive in the US. It's amusing to observe individuals taking this culture abroad and then lamenting about encountering "Gringo prices" or "Gringo Tax." When traveling, it's best to engage with locals; they can provide insights into what is considered appropriate tipping etiquette.

I don't agree.
I stayed at a small hotel in Barcelona where the doors were closed at midnight. If you were out late (as most people are) you were supposed to ring thr bell and the attendant would come unlock the door for you.
Knowing I had likely woken up the young fellow I said thanks and tipped him.
He threw is back at me.
I've had other instances where desk clerks or service people outside of the restaurant industry look at me like I'm crazy when I tip for small accommodations that to me go beyond the standard of their job title.

In all sorts of transactions I enjoy giving large tips for exceptional service (which is so rare these days). Guess I'd be offending folks around the globe on my next world wide trip. 🤗

Moderator thought: let’s get back on topic, Maxme. You’ve been warned.

It's both. There are far many restaurants in other countries that do not operate as chains or franchises like we see in the USA; hence, a restaurant is usually owned by a family. So if you tip the waiter, you're basically tipping a family member or a friend of the family working as the waiter. I guess, what our friend above calls "eatery" is better described as like family-owned restaurants. Nonetheless, family-owned restaurants in the US will never turn down tips.
Nonetheless, I do see your point. Had it had been a chain/franchise brand restaurant (especially global American brand), it would be a totally different story. However, the point was not about big vs small brand, bur rather a point against the claim that Europe welcomes tips. As they say, when in Rome....

Your username wins. We can't get any European than you.

I just had dinner at a restaurant in Lisbon Portugal (Europe) tonight and the owner was demanding that the customer take back his tips. She was rather pissed that the customer gave her a tip.
She serves good food and has great Yelp reviews; you should try it. Her restaurant's name is: Frangasqueira Nacional. Check it out on Yelp to see her glowing reviews (puts any RM review to shame).
And if you don't believe me that she would feel insulted at tips, try even leaving one Euro and you'll hear her go off at you. (saw it first hand tonight. I love Europe and its non-reliance to tipping culture.)

Your username wins. We can't get any European than you.

Actually in Italy it is generally not appreciated (perhaps "offensive" is a bit too much) for the owner of a business to be tipped, for example a Hair Salon even if he/she cuts your hair.

And yet your statement "And it's Asia where tips can be seen as offensive, not Europe" was fine to use as if it was an accurate ideology? Do you see the error in that statement?
Also, I was just in the Asia two months ago (see my post history), and I concur with @BSR's comment above. It's mainly Japan that's against tip, while the poor third-world Asian countries (eg, Philippines) would love to have tips. In fact, when I was in the Philippines, no one turned down the tips I gave—not even any small "eatery" (and I always pursue eating at these small hole-in-the wall restaurants because I've found them to be the most authentic).

It's a terrific question to ask. It seems like for U.S. travelers, they're at a horrid disadvantage, as the World over is well aware that tipping is simply done for almost anything in this country (selling me a candy bar, tearing my movie ticket), while it's understood that Europeans do not have that (which I so badly envy - working in a low wage job getting stiffed countless times, even for near 2-month stretches at a time catering to overseas visitors really, really sucked). They take their culture with them, but want (not expect, want) gratuities to be given since it's standard procedure in the States, taking our culture with us. 
I avoid "all-inclusive" travel tours and vacation resorts because it really isn't. Those who slip under the table dough to workers are the ones having the best time.

The key, of course, is "can be."  In Japan, yes (so I've read), but tips are most welcome in the Philippines.  There is no set percentage.  Plenty of Filipinos don't tips at all, some tip just a 100 pesos (less than $2) on a huge check, some tip 10% or more.
When an aunt visited Baguio, she played at my uncle's tennis club.  She loved playing in the Philippines because you could hire a "pulut-boy" (ballboy) who would chase down all the balls & feed them to you (just like the pro tour!) for just 50 pesos for the whole match (this was a while back, so adjust for inflation).  She always gave 100 pesos (easy when you have Yankee dollars), and sometimes the pulut-boy would literally break down & cry tears of joy.
Mind you, I can't promise that your pinoy ("Filipino" in Filipino) escort/masseur will cry tears of joy if you tip him, but safe to say that tips are greatly appreciated.

I just had dinner at a restaurant in Lisbon Portugal (Europe) tonight and the owner was demanding that the customer take back his tips. She was rather pissed that the customer gave her a tip.
She serves good food and has great Yelp reviews; you should try it. Her restaurant's name is: Frangasqueira Nacional. Check it out on Yelp to see her glowing reviews (puts any RM review to shame).
And if you don't believe me that she would feel insulted at tips, try even leaving one Euro and you'll hear her go off at you. (saw it first hand tonight. I love Europe and its non-reliance to tipping culture.)

I just had dinner at a restaurant in Lisbon Portugal (Europe) tonight and the owner was demanding that the customer take back his tips. She was rather pissed that the customer gave her a tip.
She serves good food and has great Yelp reviews; you should try it. Her restaurant's name is: Frangasqueira Nacional. Check it out on Yelp to see her glowing reviews (puts any RM review to shame).
And if you don't believe me that she would feel insulted at tips, try even leaving one Euro and you'll hear her go off at you. (saw it first hand tonight. I love Europe and its non-reliance to tipping culture.)

He had a negative review on RM a few months back, but my guess is that he complained about it to RM and was able to get it taken down. It basically gave a similar account to yours where he was hot but just kind of middling and not really into it. Thank you for sharing so others can know.

Perhaps I should have added the difference is about 30 years and 30 kilos.

I had a lot of fun there during my one and only visit to Barcelona about 2017.....safe, very convenient location very near the Plaza de Espana....three or four floors with mystery staircases scattered about made the walking around a bit confusing, but no problem!.....the working guys will lock eyes with you as you wander and may try to drum up business....you'll have to politely fend off those who don't appeal......if Akmed, an Egyptian, is still working there (?), he speaks great English and helped me out with logistics.......yes, it's much more of a legal brothel than a bathhouse.......my only complaint was that customers are required to wear towels (color-coded, I think, to distinguish clients and working guys) instead of their regular clothes, as is allowed in Brazil......my clothes are much more comfortable!.......
as an aside, I enjoyed some of the signs at BCN (airport) that were in Catalan first....then English.......then Spanish!.....long live Catalonia!!

Lol. Are there never do-able clients at Thermas? Isn't it a bathhouse after all?

Thanks! I'm guessing the environment is like a typical bathhouse in the USA, but the only difference is that the providers are also in the bathhouse? Since, everyone will be naked or in towels, is it possible to mistake a customer from a provider then? Or is there anything that will help you identify customers vs providers (eg, wristband with a key)?

1. Know your shoe size in cm. You enter into a locker room. Everything is downstairs. Your locker key is also how they charge you for anything purchased at the bar. 
2. the guys are all around and some will approach you. But you can approach them too.
3. Starts at 50 for 30. Make sure to have Euros
4. have fun!

Visiting Thermas for the first time in a few weeks. Can those with experience give me some pointers on these (I don't want to be noticed as if I was a newbie):
1. What to expect when going in?
2. How does guy selection happen?
3. Costs to expect?
4. Any other tips?
 
Thank you community!

Interesting thread. The only posters that say they've met him have very few posts to their credit. Yes, you have to start somewhere but when the only posts come from them, and one protests bit much, well....... 
The guy takes the name of pornstar who had enough career to photos and an easily found real name with some semi-recent social media; so you could see he wasn't the guy. The OF sounds like the most scammy type---very brief, poorly shot videos, so whole thing sounds like a grift and hardly worth 3 threads.
There was enough initial interest in this guy that there seemed to be some unicorn hunting behavior---despite plenty of warning, there's always someone who wants guys with negative leading experiences or questionable supporters hoping they'll be lucky. Usually, they're not and it's better to save your money.
My 2 cents on Atlanta: I used to live there and have frequently returned for work.  It may be similar in size to other cities, but it's , eh Atlanta. There usually have been a small number of credible, reasonably long-term guys, but also quite a few who come and go (w/o much credibility) and and many who don't last long or simply not very good or reliable. Atlanta is very transient, esp. among younger people. It's also frankly kind of grifter-ish with lots of would-be entrepreneurs chasing a fast buck and looking for people who are ultimately bigger suckers than they are. It also has a poor reputation among traveling guys---fewer and less lucrative customers than they expect.