The real question here is not whether or not you tip or how much, but how to get rid of this crazy system. I can’t believe any customer seriously thinks standard restaurant tipping is a good idea. I understand the why and the current expectation and when in the USA I try to confirm to this quaint custom as much as possible. Although this does give a bit of stress and the end of a meal or taxi journey or whatever and means that trips cost me more as I can’t expense tips (even though they are really required as part of the price).

I would have though the whole post-service tip system was the very antithesis of being a flyertalker. Tipping someone who gives you regular service from or at the start of a longer-term service relationship does fit with the FT ethos– here it is really a bribe to get additional things for a smaller consideration that the service is worth or or cheating the system slightly to maximize your experience. But paying more than you need to after you have received the service (so it won’t make a difference to the service you got), that’s like doing a price comparison and picking a more expensive rate or fare than you need to. Why would you want to pay more than you can get away with?

It could be argued that the whole culture of tipping improves service, rewarding good service and developing an expectation of tipping – however, this relies on others tipping well in general, so that you get a better experience, which you then validate with a tip. Taking the frequent flying analogy further, this is the same as relying on “kettles”, the bulk of the customer base, to pay more to effectively subsidize your travels. So the equilvalent to enjoying FFP perks for the minimum spend and getting the most use out of miles or $$ for tickets is not tipping irregular service staff and letting the average customer pay tips normally so you still receive good service. Just like airline staff don’t know you got super double gold titanium status from some cheap MRs or are flying international F because you filled out a credit card application, servers will not know you ain’t going to give them any extra money until long after you’ve had a satisfying meal.

Of course, it could be for some people tipping is really a form of showing off, like displaying your status on your luggage tags or hat, or just telling everyone in hearing how shiny for FFP card is and important you are – then by all means pay the extra for that moment of self-importance and smugness when you can lord it over your temporary servant, displaying how rich and generous you are.

Tipping sucks, doesn’t make any business sense to the customer, causes unnecessary stress and confusion (particularly to non-natives who are also left open to deliberate bullying/exploitation), allows some people and businesses to earn/make money without making a fair tax contribution on their income, and really doesn’t even promote good service as people reward mediocrity anyway. By all means, I think a system where you could recognize exceptional standards is good, but if it really is a required part of transaction, then include it in the price. I get that people are vocal about others not following the system in their country and sure - that is the system so people should follow. But defending this as a good system makes no sense at all.