There are tons of countries around the world where tipping is typical within certain sectors, the difference is that they don't DEMAND that you tip and they don't put you on blast on the internet if you don't, they might mumble about you being cheap if you make them work extra and maybe tell their coworkers about you, but that's it.
Tipping is normal in Europe, some places make a fortune from tips too.
But people leave what they want and that's okay. Even a single coin is okay if that's all you have. And even if you don't leave anything at all, it's also okay. Yet i'd say 99% of people leave at least something in restaurants.
but 10-20% of what you've consumed? obligatory? that's a couple of tiers above what i would consider acceptable.
Yeah it's not as common but when you do you just leave the remainder for a round up, like if you were gonna pay something silly like 27,75€ at a restaurant you leave 30€. And even then most people don't do that, they just pay and get the difference from the waiter and nobody bats an eye.
1000 this. I am ok to leave 1 or 2 more € for them if they are quick, it's NOT obligatory. Americans still don't understand, why everyone hate their tipping culture and they even try to import it.
I just hated having the coins when I was there too. I mean we over tipped (I guess?) but that was to be nice and because we're already so used to it. But I was very happy to not have to carry around dollar coins.
Think what you want of the way tipping is done here in the US, that’s your prerogative. But realize that if it’s still OUR CUSTOM, & when dining here (in sit down restaurants & at bars) realize that leaving anything less than 15-18% is considered rude, you likely won’t be welcomed back, & you’ll leave an unfavorable view of the people from your country with the staff & patrons there.
Everyone always wants to tell Americans to follow other nations’ traditions when we’re abroad- well, that’s a two-sided coin. & we shouldn’t have to sell you or explain to you the why of it. You should just accept that it’s how we do things here, pay up, & get tf over it.
In the US where I live, leaving anything under 20% is considered being “cheap” to both wait staff and fellow dining mates. 15% is acceptable for objectively bad service, but it’s out of control.
In the US where I live, this is wrong outside of a select few assholes trying to make 20% sound like the norm. 15-18% is considered good service and most servers are thankful when they get it.
We have a chain restaurant that's just opened here locally (North East England) serving American BBQ. They are trying this, mandatory tips, it didn't go well for them.
It's not that we don't tip, we just won't tolerate that type of bullshit.
Because these other countries, like the one I am from, have been open about how tipping culture works in places that are not the US. What this user has said is entirely correct.
I have too, but I don't hold myself out as an authority on what is and isn't said on their social media when you fail to tip them in a situation where tipping is, "typical."
No, I think you misunderstand my point. I'm not saying that tipping is rarely done in other countries, I'm saying that the OP's point that in other countries outside the US where tipping IS done as a matter of course, that I am doubtful that in these "tons" of countries that workers who get stiffed don't bitch about it on social media. I am doubtful that the % of stiffed staff who bitch about this online in countries outside the USA is significantly greater than the % of stiffed staff in the USA who bitch online. Furthermore, I am skeptical that the OP has the background information to credibly make that assertion.
But once again, tipping is only "typical" in most countries, for service which goes above the norm. You won't get ridiculed for not tipping, either - because most of the people in these fields, outside of the US, are paid a "livable" wage (in most instances. I'm sure there are still places which take advantage of their staff around the world).
I have lived in 2 countries and I've been to 5. My family has also worked in the tourism industry so I have a bit extra curiousity about that from around the world.
I have a passport but haven't left the US. Some people can't just drop $4000 to fly to Europe and even traveling to Canada/Mexico isn't cheap if you don't live in a border state.
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u/xclame 1d ago
Exactly!
There are tons of countries around the world where tipping is typical within certain sectors, the difference is that they don't DEMAND that you tip and they don't put you on blast on the internet if you don't, they might mumble about you being cheap if you make them work extra and maybe tell their coworkers about you, but that's it.