Travel a long way at great expense to only eat in fast food restaurants and at breakfast bars. Brilliant.

In the US there are people who work for low wages and depend on tips. If they were paid more the cost of your meal would be higher. In Europe, restaurant meal costs are often way higher than in the US.

The tipping system puts you in control. Don't feel the need to tip for bad service. I tip between 10 and 20% based on service and on rare occasions nothing at all. I do not punish servers for kitchen issues and other issues beyond their control.

I sometimes leave a bit extra because it says to the server that he or she did a really good job. I know that helps make their day and that helps make mine.

Lighten up. Go where the action is. Don't miss out because tipping makes you uncomfortable.

One is tempted to say "when in Rome...". Let's face it, the USA is known for large helpings rather than high quality food.

That's, literally, a price I would be prepared to pay.

A confused idea of control. Why would you pay for bad kitchen service without batting an eyelid yet decide not to pay for poor table service? Are you only in control of table service? Although you seem to think it's actually the waiter who is in control.

The implication being that the money means more to a waiter than it does to you. That may well be true, but isn't it a rather patronizing attitude?

I do. And I'm afraid it's not in the USA.

When in Rome.....

Even with tipping, my guess is everything will be cheap (relatively). If the op doesn't tip, I would recommend NOT paying any follow-up visits to any place (s)he visits. OTOH, maybe I do. Please visit the same places over and over if you don't tip. You'll get everything you deserve.

Nothing like a thread on tipping- lots of opinions for sure

I am sure it has been said. People depend on tips- job wages are set up that way, sadly.

if you dont want to tip dont use the services of people who's services should be tipped.

so many places to go and enjoy!

You appear to be confusing tipping with extortion.

Ha ha, that was my first thought too. Just about everything the OP stated was a step down in quality just to avoid tipping a few bucks. Genuis.

Oh, I thought that was the VAT!

If you want to raise the ire of Americans - actually North Americans - bring up tipping...

As to your original question: you can avoid tipping the same way you would normally avoid paying for extras.

Remember traveling like a student? (I'm assuming that you aren't one...)

Watch your budget and you'll minimize tipping. Oddly the cheaper a place is the less you're expected to tip - even if they do the same amount of work, which I find grossly unfair. Additionally cheaper places often give more freebies. Stay at a holiday inn express, best western etc and you'll get a fridge and free water sometimes even a microwave and free popcorn, stay at a Marriott or Sheraton and they charge 5$ for water.

Buffets are one option, but heck you're in california. Get takeout, eat it outside and enjoy the weather!

If you want to eat in a restaurant, then just pick one that isn't over the top(pricewise). You'll get good food, hopefully good service and you can leave a small gratuity - or not depending on your preference - without breaking the bank.

Remember, don't let anyone give you grief about not tipping.

I tip at restaurants and occasionally other places (in North America).
The level of service that I've had over the years has never been so-so or bad due to a lack of a tip.
I have never felt that I have ever been anywhere where the service would have improved had I given a tip or a larger tip .
In fact some of the worst service (and most memorable) that I have ever had has always been followed by some person with their handout asking for their tip! (or taking it upon themselves to keep the change)

There is an undercurrent to this thread along the lines of "USA is a cultural imperialist, please stop exporting your view of the world to my bit of the world"
Tipping is just the catalyst

It is a pretty unsophisticated view of Americans but unfortunately a few posters seem to be perpetuating the steretype. A bit more sensitivity regarding cultural norms (and tipping is just a part of this) wouldn't go amiss by us all. I certainly remember first visiting China years ago and rounding up restaurant bills etc.....I wouldn't dream of doing that now, it is just alien to their culture and may be percieved as rude

Regarding tipping specifically, in circumstances where I know that the individual relies upon tips to achieve a living wage I tip. However, we all need to appreciate that this is not the case in all countries and locals may feel aggrieved by an importation of a tip culture.

It's all about being sensititve to your surroundings when abroad

nickyboy

No, that was the point. The service fee and/or taxes are included. When it isn't, travelers shouldn't punish the people who provide them services. It's not their fault; they didn't design the system. And thanks for your amazing sense of humor.

Back to the poster's original point, if you go to Whole Foods, and order from their deli windows, and then pay for the food and take it to the seating area, you don't have to pay a tip (I've never seen a place to do so, even). And the food is pretty good.

Another idea: farmers' markets. I've never seen a place to tip at one of those.

Renting an apartment would allow you more opportunities to buy groceries, thus avoiding possible tip-inducing situations.

Hi, OP here!

Thanks for all the "tips" I got, especially those concerning eating options. It seems that my strategy will work fine, except the minibars at HI Express. ^

Just to make you all understand: I truly don't like the tipping situation. The smile or other reaction that I get after I have given a tip is very confusing to me. I don't understand about having to pay extra to receive a smile or good service.

Still, I don't like to insult people by not giving a tip when it is part of the culture. That is why I simply try to avoid this problematic situation altogether.

Certain restaurants in Europe that say in their menus that they are going to add a XX% service charge � just out of curiosity, do these confuse you as well, or are you able to cope and understand what is happening?

This is an example of importing the culture of pretending that the marked price does not include service. It is wrong. Transparency of pricing matters - the marked price should be inclusive of taxes, service, fees and everything else. Otherwise, it is IMO deception. I'm pleased the UK has barred airlines from advertising fares that are less than the true cost.

That practise does not exist where I live. Can't say I recall when I've last seen that elsewhere in Europe either, but I'm sure it exists. If it is clearly stated then I'm annoyed to have to do the math but see it as part of the fixed price. If not, then it is fraud IMO.