Originally Posted by
schoflyer
Bottom Line:
The service staff in the US expects to be compensated for the service on top of the price of whatever your buying. Except for the pampering of the well healed they could care less about the quality of the service provided so long as it looks like they are doing their job, and maximizing their income.
In Asia, service is included in the purchase and whatever symbolic "gratuity" that may be offered is appreciated not expected.
In Europe, service comes with an attitude.
Careful. In some places in Asia, tipping is offensive.
I would also add that service in Asia is frequently very subservient, for example from young Asian female FAs. There may be a priority placed on hiring attractive looking young women as FAs, waitresses, front desk agents, etc. Male service workers could be considered desirable for certain other positions, and this is legally permissible at least in some Asian countries.