Tipping etiquette around the world

[Chatteress]

Originally Posted by elnina

I find it a bit degrading ( that's not the best word for it, but I hope you understand my point) that some jobs are not paid properly, and people work for tips.

BTW: if you tip just 15%, you look "cheap". It's expected to tip 20% at least...

I so disagree with this and the whole obligation to tip ... Whenever possible, I just take my food to go as it is cheaper to do so.

[Chatteress]

Originally Posted by xeric

While I agree with tipping generously in countries where it is used to make up for the lack of minimum wages, I've never understood the attempt to inflate the rate in the U.S. from 15 to 20%. Since the meal prices have inflated over time, 15% is worth more in absolute dollar amount now then it was 20 years ago. So assuming a constant rate of inflation for all expenses there shouldn't be any need to inflate the gratuity rate.

So agreed ... Personally, it needs to go to 10% and be optional ... It's ridiculous to have to shell out an additional 15-20% when eating out or having any service done. Servers should get paid their salary and customers should only be required to pay for the meal and not some server's wages.

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by chilaili

Whenever my parents visit the US from the UK we have this "discussion". Dad refuses to tip as he says it's not his problem the waitstaff get paid so little. Mother tips 15% AND only on the subtotal, not the final amount as she says why should she tip the tax? I try to leave something for housekeeping after a hotel stay IF they've done a good job with the cleaning and tidying.

There's no tipping in Singapore and in NZ only if you think it's really worth it.

I don't like how tipping is 'expected' in the US. I thought tipping by definition was supposed to be a voluntary thing? I agree with your dad, the tipping culture just encourages employers to pay their employers less. Perhaps if fewer people tip they'll be forced to change. I prefer the idea of tipping as a reward for good service.

In Australia some restaurants have a tipping jar at the counter, but otherwise tipping is not the norm here.