Originally Posted by
drsmithy
One of the extremely annoying side-effects of the US tipping culture in restaurants and similar, is that it is apparently considered very bad form and/or will result in "retaliation" to flag down a waiter or waitress who isn't "yours", or to go up to the bar to order drinks when you are also receiving table service - doubly so if you are with a group and used to the tradition of "rounds".
+1.
While I agree with QueenOfCoach and others that one should follow the cultures of the country that they are visiting, we don't have to like every aspect of it. When a restaurant has multiple waitstaff running around, it provides a much better experience for the customer if a request can be made to whichever staff member is the nearest at the time. Why should the customer have to be distracted from the enjoyment of their meal to constantly look around trying to attract the attention of one person in particular? Likewise, a customer should have the right to buy drinks from the bar if they so choose. It may be faster, or they may simply see it as a way to separate expenditure on food and drink (for business lunches sometimes alcohol needs to be invoiced separately). I'm sure any difference in the tips resulting from this behaviour could be sorted out by adjusting the amount that the bartender is tipped by the waiter.