Waiters - Yes
Counter Personnel - No

My wife, an Australian, feels we Ameicans are suckers for tipping as much as we do. But as someone who earned most of his college income from tips, I disagree. Waiters/waitresses are paid next to nothing because their employers know that they'll get tips. Doesn't make it right, but that's the way it is!

However, I've come to like the American system. TIPS is an acronym for To Insure Prompt Service. And I tip accordingly: 15% for average service, 20%+ for above average or exceptional service, and <15% for substandard service.

And guess what! It seems to work, at least based on the service here vs. Australia. Waiters/waitresses there are covered by a very generous minimum wage, and since most Aussies don't tip (or only tip change), the waiters don't expect a tip, and therefore don't work for it. So, all too often, you get very lackidaisical service.

The American waiter works for his/her tips. But a counter person? Do you tip the check-out chick at Ralphs or Jewel or the clerk at K-Mart? I'm glad to tip a waiter who spends significant time waiting on me, but I think tipping for bagging my purchase and ringing up my charge is a bit much!

An afterthough....here in Southern California there is an ugly practice with "doggie bags." Everyplace else I've found that when I want to take home what is left, the waiter takes my food away and returns it packaged to take home. To me, that's the way it should be.

But here in Southern California, they have a habit of coming back to the table and plunking a styrofoam container in front of you, expecting you to scoop up your leftovers yourself.

That I find really disgusting! I didn't pay to go to a restaurant to do kitchen work! I came to be WAITED on! That's what WAITers are supposed to do! Whenever that happens I deduct 2% from the tip; so a normal 20% tip becomes 18%, and a 15% tip becomes 13%.