Fuck this is a difficult one.

Tipping culture is a throwback to slavery times and is very typical of the predatory nature that exists within employment in the US. The position that customers need to pay a tip because the server needs a liveable wage that isn’t covered by employers and built into law is essentially being held hostage due to an unfair system.

That said, waitstaff depend on this for a liveable wage and by not paying the tip, you’re denying that worker fair income. It’s not their fault directly, it’s the system they are under.

Looking from the outside, it comes back to the same thing; the reluctance of Americans to engage in building a decent society by collectively voting to build that, rather than voting or even not voting at all to take care of themselves. Again, it’s another case of ‘you get out what you put in’. A 60% voter turnout reflects the quality of what’s been elected and makes it easy for bad actors to get what they want, especially when their base does turn out.

To get those things, they need to at least vote and vote for people who will give them the things they want like legislated, decent wages. Sometimes it also means some hardship or compromise. Here, that means wait staff would be giving up the potential of big tips for the benefit of decent wages and perhaps healthcare.

Personally? Of course I’d tip them; I’m in Rome so I’d do as the Romans do and I’m aware that's their income. I’d also feel like I was held hostage by a shithouse, predatory system brought about by Americans lack of care for their own people though.

Welcome to the wage slave states of America! Hopefully you get out before you find out how much I.C.E. costs here. Ha!

Seriously don’t come here if you value your safety or your possessions.

It is completely out of control. I have been asked to tip at self operated vending machines. WTF?

You think that's bad? We have ads on our gas pump handles and a 'donation' question everytime we use a pos

My favorite thing I saw recently in relation to tipping - was this sign at a restaurant about what the minimum wage was and encouraging tipping.

I'm assuming that sign was put up or at least tacitly endorsed by the management.

It's almost as if they don't have any agency over what they pay their own workers and they are then shaming customers into making up the difference? WTF?

It's been known for some time that many of those from outside the US are unfamiliar with our tipping culture. I was a waiter in a nice restaurant in '96 when the Olympics were in Atlanta. We had lots of large parties that we added a 20% gratuity to, and clearly indicated on the check and no one complained. But normally the only place you encountered tipping then was in a sit-down restaurant with waiters. Now there's a thousand and one places where you're encouraged to tip. Even places where it's only counter service and you're supposed to put money in a tip jar when you pay the cashier. It's all over the place and it's completely ridiculous and out of hand. Americans hate it. It's no wonder our guests are confused and pissed off.

Let's fix this headline.

American's Confused By Fair Wage Practices of Civilized Countries

Frustrations have also been shared by hospitality staff, with one bar owner telling the BBC that many World Cup tourists have been bad tippers.

Should read:

Frustrations have also been shared by hospitality staff, with one bar owner telling the BBC that many World Cup tourists have been making staff aware that I and other businesses are bad employers.

If you need to pay, it's posted on the menu and appears on the bill. If not, too bad.

I will once again point out tipping isn't unique to the US. In my part of central Europe, tipping at restaurants with service is absolutely expected. Also for things like delivery, cabs, barbers, etc. You can often even tip delivery drivers right in the app.

I'll also point out these same people will talk about how America has such huge portions for the price. So, when in Rome do as the Romans do, and tip while realizing that's part of why the portions are cheap for the dollar. Or at least stop kvetching about Americans not abiding by local customs if you aren't willing to do the same.

(Yes, paying a better wage would be better. No, you not tipping is not actual making change to that effect, you're just excusing yourself. Legislation is the only thing that will fix that. Systemic problems need systemic solutions).

Im an American and I tip because it's how servers get paid in the US.

I've also been to other countries where restaurants just, ya know, pay their employees.

It's not complicated. Just give your employees money in exchange for their labor. Somehow other countries just pay their employees and amazingly they still have restaurants and bars.

Well if you travel to the US for the World Cup you're either ignorant as fuck or you like the direction they're going and want to sponsor it.

You chose to go. Stay and suffer or leave and get better.

Outlaw tipping? Make it socially embarrassing and shameful to accept a tip? Make tipping in America like tipping in Japan?

Just remember, tipping is optional. Don’t feel like you need to be guilted into doing it.

We don’t pay our workers, lol. That’s on you!

Don't worry American citizens are also confused by the expensive tipping culture in the US. I still maintain 15% for a good job, 10% for a mediocre job, 5% for anything below. Giving above 15% is just subsidizing the pay the employer should be giving. It's a symptom of the fact that wages have stagnated for over 50 years. The pay that once supported someone and even a child is now far below the poverty line for even an individual. So instead of increasing pay to match what it once was many businesses have turned to aggressive tipping over just increasing the prices of their service / products.