I may, on very very rare occasions, leave a tip at the end of the evening but certainly not each and every round in any case. And most people are not expecting it anyway. At least where I drink !

Depends on the state. California and about seven or eight other states ban paying tipped employees less than minimum wage now. But for the most part, yes.

I tend to tip everywhere coz it has kind of become second nature to us. When we ask someone about tipping, what we are really asking is if we need to tip more than what we are used to.

I hate to admit that tipping is such a critical part of our life here that everytime I am trying to come up with a number to scribble on that tip line on a receipt, I am essentially worried about tipping too little.

I also understand whatever I said may not make sense to many people but this is a cold fact.

I live in Singapore and take taxis often, I always round up the fare - it is never expected but always appreciated, definitely not 'embarassing'. I don't like the US tipping culture though and I don't respond well when it is expected....

In Canada, Quebec a lower cash wage rate for employees who regularly receive tips and a few other provinces have lower minimums specifically for employees who regularly serve booze to customers.

Tipping wasn't practiced in the US, historically. It began to take very limited root in the latter half of the 19th century, when the concept was copied from Europe (where it originated, most likely in England circa 16th century or so). Tipping still wasn't very popular with most people though and some states even passed laws banning tips during the early 20th century. It only really took off sometime around the 1920s or 1930s.

In any case, to the OP's main question, I've always found it easy to find information on tipping customs, or lack thereof, in any country - including for bar service. Plenty of print guidebooks and online sites have such information. I just follow whatever is the custom in the place I'm visiting, pretty simple.

I guess the basic point of my post was simply to say to Americans, "Don't overthink it when you're abroad." I think it's almost impossible that an American tipping according to US practice would under-tip when outside the US. Over-tipping is possible, but most people will probably take it in their stride. In a few places tipping might be considered an insult, but again I think most staff will wear the insult lightly if it's obviously not meant as an insult.

Even in US there are people in the business who advocate the end of tips in restaurants:

(these are just a handful of the results when you search on Google)

http://ny.eater.com/2013/7/10/640638...ts-go-tip-free

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the...ing-2013-08-19

http://www.eater.com/2015/1/6/750472...s-35000-salary

http://groundswell.org/tip-free-restaurants/

http://smallbiztrends.com/2015/01/no...ittsburgh.html

http://www.caminorestaurant.com/no-tips

The reference to the tipping system as it was brought to the Americas from western Europe many hundreds of years ago, seems less valid today, IMHO. Those guys only worked with their bodies, and if transport was necessary, it was done by horse w/o carriage. Situation feels familiar?

I'm old fashioned and actually enjoy carrying a guidebook when I travel. While on the flight over, tipping is usually one of the sections in it I look up.

Never trust someone with a vested interest on giving advice on tips.

Indeed.

At least in many SE Asian countries, it's "leave the small change."

Or not. Nobody will think less of you if you don't.

How does taking 2 minutes to Google what the local custom is (and then follow it) equate to being "an obsession"?

Why call someone who may tip less than you childish names and seek to question their motives and character?

I don't know how to word this without coming across as patronizing, but isn't it important to remember, especially when traveling, that not everyone in the world thinks the same way as you?

You are correct in one regard. You don't know how to make your point without sounding patronizing.

I'll pay attention to the cultural differences that matter. How much and when to tip the help isn't one of them.

I'll keep that in mind should I ever visit the U.S. again, good advice :rolleyes:

Tips should be for superior service provided. The US is the only country I know where everyone thinks they provided superior service and deserve a tip.

Do you realize that tipping is a cultural difference that matters in some countries including the US? If you don't tip in the US, you often will offend the staff. On the other hand, the Japanese often see tipping as an insult. What you see as a positive thing may be seen as a negative thing in another culture, that's cultural difference.

It may matter to the recipient of the tip. Different countries have different ideas about which cultural differences matter and which ones don't. It may not matter to you, but as a traveler, you should consider whether it matters to the locals in the country you are visiting.