Originally Posted by
railways
Wrong - tipping is standard in several European countries. In Hungary, and several ex-Communist central European countries, 10% is the norm. The locals usually oblige - the foreigners may or may not (probably depending on whence they came, or what they think they can get away with).
The only ex-Communist country I have been to is the former DDR and tipping was most certainly not standard anywhere I saw. However, I have not been further east than there.
Nevertheless, northern Europe, western/central Europe and southern Europe, I have never seen tipping as a standard by either locals or tourists. Leaving the small change from a bill, however, is fairly common, but the amounts are so small, it seems more a courtesy than a tip.