Originally Posted by
PICA
I really don't agree with the concept of tipping for the sake of it (why should I subsidise someone's wages rather than the employer?!) but in the end I do it because its the norm. I tried doing in the Middle East and in Asia once and was given a very harsh look, as though I had insulted them! I prefer their system.
When a London hotel says "breakfast" I expect it to include eggs, bacon and other items. When a Paris hotel says the same thing, I expect a croissant. I don't whine about the difference or assert that one is better than the other.
Same thing for tips. In the USA, tips are part of an individual's income and they are expected as part of the culture. The prospect of tips can be used to reduce the minimum wage and may also be used to calculate income for income tax purposes. That is whether the tip is paid or not.
This is not the case in the UK. Arguing about which system is better is like arguing about whether having an elected or inherited Head of State is better.
If you travel in the USA and don't tip the waiter, just understand that you are actually chiseling them. If you travel in the UK and do tip, just understand that it's some extra for something above and beyond.