ShahdagMountains
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- Jan 16, 2012
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As British travellers discover on a first visit to the US, tipping is deeply embedded in the culture. And it is all too easy to breach etiquette.
The matter was thrust into the spotlight again recently when an American server shared their displeasure with a specific group of diners on Twitter.
“Lmao I f***ing hate Europeans sometimes on god,” wrote user “brecht apologist” on the social media platform. “This table just left $70 on a $700 check after chilling for HOURS. My manager even asked about their service and they were OVER THE MOON about my service so he explained the customary tip is 20% and they were like ‘ok.’ and left.
Cue a quickly escalating debate beneath the original post, with Europeans, and Brits in particular, keen to explain that, in fact, US tipping culture is not just alien to us, but completely baffling.
So join me, reader, as I attempt to unpack the myriad rules that apply when it comes to obligatory tipping across the Pond.
www.independent.co.uk
The matter was thrust into the spotlight again recently when an American server shared their displeasure with a specific group of diners on Twitter.
“Lmao I f***ing hate Europeans sometimes on god,” wrote user “brecht apologist” on the social media platform. “This table just left $70 on a $700 check after chilling for HOURS. My manager even asked about their service and they were OVER THE MOON about my service so he explained the customary tip is 20% and they were like ‘ok.’ and left.
Cue a quickly escalating debate beneath the original post, with Europeans, and Brits in particular, keen to explain that, in fact, US tipping culture is not just alien to us, but completely baffling.
So join me, reader, as I attempt to unpack the myriad rules that apply when it comes to obligatory tipping across the Pond.

What are the rules for tipping in America?
A campaign to make 20 per cent the bare minimum for restaurant meals is having some effect
