IMHO, I don't think being an ugly American (I'm sure we all have seen many and this probably has been covered in many previous threads) has anything to do with tipping. This is more an issue of being a naive or uninformed tourist. Tipping 15% or more is part of our culture. If we don't understand the tipping protocol when we travel, it's our loss and our ignorance shows. Many years ago, a coworker from NYC was leaving measly tips when we were having dinners in Mississippi. I asked him what was wrong with the service and he replied nothing, he thought it was good. The problem was he was leaving double the tax, something which was acceptable back home in NYC with 8% tax, but it didn't amount to much since the tax in MS at the time was 2%.

Using the CNN argument, I guess you can be an ugly American in your own country.

Back on topic, it is unlikely the flight crew will be the same. I have been on the return leg of a MR with the same flight crew and rather than explain what I was doing, I just stated either my plans had changed or that I was acting as a courier and hand-delivering something.

-outoftown