Well, interesting sideline: My current issue of the AAA Members' Magazine has a page on tipping practice, and they say to tip EVERYBODY in European hotels from the porters to the concierge for any service whatever (and a lot for tricky reservations or other favors) to the maids at $5 PER NIGHT. So are they just very badly informed or on a different planet? Alternatively, maybe their advice is strictly for Americans who are somehow expected to tip when nobody else is? So maybe if I speak Italian in Spain nothing will be expected from me?