I don't really stand out as a N American as I am a visible minority (even though I am one due to naturalisation.)
Even in HK (place of birth) they usually have 加一服務費 (service charge) of 10% added that serves as a tip (though I think that it is more easily reported this way, not that salaries tax is very high there.)
(OT: Last time I went there, I saw people leave additional money beyond this. The servers were laughing after they left. Then again, this was in a touristy part of Kowloon...)

One waiter's story: http://strangeronbakerstreet.tumblr....w-olive-garden

Good afternoon....

Topic check!

Which is "I hate tipping, how can we end it?"

I have allowed some leeway for civil, thoughtful, respectful discussion of tipping around the world (not just the narrow subject of how it can be ended). But discussions of whether busy restaurants are less purportedly health-threatening, etc., are off-topic and posts re have been deleted.

Thank you.

cblaisd
Moderator, Dining Buzz

I tip in every country I have been to.
My money, my choice.

Couldn't agree more. "Choice" is the key.

But that's a different situation - the poster said that he asked the server what amount to tip, and they told him what to top. What you are talking about is a preprinted 'service charge' which applies to every diner, which is common many places.

Ancien Maestro, I don't think that it is 'sociological'. It really isn't that difficult to figure out, either. I think that you were given very good advice before your trip about what to tip, and how much to tip, from locals here on FT.

Think of it this way:

A person from Germany goes to Honolulu, and eats at a restaurant. The bill is $28.90, and they leave $30, 'because that's the way we do it'. One could say that is disrespectful, rude, or even ignorant, right?

Now someone from America goes to Germany and the bill comes to 28,90 Euro. They leave 35 Euro, 'because that's the way we do it'. One could say that is disrespectful, rude, or even ignorant, right?

But it is actually worse in that situation. In the former, only the waiter was impacted. In the latter, the North American tipping culture is used in a country where 20% tip is not the norm. Unscrupulous servers will try and extract 20% from the next diner who appears to be from North America, when they ask, just as it apparently happened to you. That's why I think that Rick Steves addresses it on his site, especially because a lot of his followers tend to eat at the same restaurants, where I suspect that this is quite common to try and extort the unknowing tourist for a larger tip.

This is how such things spread, and it's why people don't like it when someone disregards local cultures and norms. It's also many times embarrassing for the person on the receiving end of the tip.

And I say that as a former server and someone who worked in positions where tips were received.

Certainly I was mindful to tip less than what I'm used to when in Europe last year.. and I agree I received good advice much as what's processed into my getting the tips, resulted in a dream vacation that I will never duplicate even if I tried. Centered around the Olympics, seeing Usain Bolt, watching gold medals won and dissapointments happen live in center stage. We are thinking of going back to Europe but probably in a couple more years so because of such a one off experience at our first summer Olympics and the excitement it created..

I agree that it doesn't look good to tip excessive for poor service. As I recall, most of my tipping went no more than 12% for fantastic service, even though I was told different. 10% before taxes, and take out being taken off. Was I supposed to tip have tip less? I'm always and open to advice given.

Of course it is. Just as it is my choice to not tip in the US

Yes, I do think that what you tipped was excessive.

The goofed up order may have been the kitchen's fault, not the server's fault. Why would you not complain to the manager about your meal before settling the bill?

Apparently when Starbucks brought their brown water and 'pastries' to Paris, they also brought their begging jars! That's what I am trying to avoid - the spreading of the North American tip culture and encouraging us to change our habits and tip for fast food.

I actually see tourists putting coins into the 'used tasting spoon' container at Amorino

That's a bit hard on SB. Most of their drinks appear to be light brown milk, some even with a faint but discernible smell of coffee.

I'm bitter. I was reduced to visiting a Starbucks this week (NOT in Paris!) and had to explain 3x what a double espresso macchiato should be. They kept giving me two shots of espresso in a large cup filled with hot milk and a little foam, and trying to add some syrup. And they had those pseudo-French bakery items (I don't recall them being that bad when the bakery was actually owned by a Frenchman)

Needless to say, the only 'tip' which they received from me was a 'tip' on the actual definition of espresso macchiato. (Does anyone recall years ago when Starbucks first became a chain that they actually had large pictures on the walls with the ratio of espresso to milk to foam in each drink?)

Even if you know that tipping is seen as an insult by the locals, you insist on tipping anyway?

Ok. I tried to cut it back and didn't get the tip down far enough. How much is an acceptable % to tip at restaurants in European countries? You mentioned 5% IIRC. I realized it my tipping was on the high end but I failed to realize it was excessive.

On the tours generally I tipped 10 euros for the whole party in Venice, Rome, Florence, Milan, Salzburg, etc.