Originally Posted by
WHBM
I am well aware of US custom with gratuities, and so, as far as I am aware, is everyone else I know from the UK who has been to the US.
However what I do NOT care for is a lecture on arrival from the waitress, when they finally turn up at the table, about how tipping is "customary" in the USA and the standard amount is 20% and ..... yadda yadda yadda. I find this panhandling for tips rude and insulting. Excuse me, but I've probably eaten out in more USA establishments than you have. The next time I get this lecture, generally delivered in school-marm patronising tones, I'm going to say that.
I generally tip as well as the next person, but this type of stuff gets my goat.
If anyone sees fit to mar my evening with a lecture on tipping, then that's putting their tip in jeopardy then and there. As for sneaking a tip onto the bill that hasn't been disclosed on the menu - that's akin to them sticking their hand in my pocket and seeing if I notice, so will result in a zero tip. I will not stand for this.