Do you feel obligated to tip because of the stigma associated with not doing so?

[KostasKouvalis]

I often see posts from foreign tourists, mostly Europeans complaining about tipping in the U. S., even going as far to say they need to figure out the math at the dinner table.

And I notice from reading these that there is a huge misconception that tipping is MANDITORY in the US, when it isn't. So I wonder if people feel intimidated into doing it, because of the social stigma associated with it. I can still understand if you're a regular at a barbershop, but I don't see why a tourist who's just passing through would feel obligated to tip, in fear of what people will think of him.

I DO agree that tipping culture in the US has gone way too far.

[richardcory]

Tips are pretty close to mandatory in the US in a lot of situation like restaurants.

I very much dislike tipping - but I do tip and tip well because I recognize that servers are often paid below minimum wage and are expected to make it up in tips.

My preference would be for servers to be paid well, restaurant prices to be higher to cover it, and tips to be outlawed.

[KostasKouvalis]

With all due respect, that's not my problem. I make minimum wage too and I'm not allowed to take tips

[richardcory]

Tipping can also be confusing, its not clear which occupations expect tips and which do not. In general I think even minimum wage in the US is too low to provide and adequate standard of living.

[NaultD]

I don't like how businesses pay less then minimum wage that is acceptable from being offset by tipping social standards. If i remember correctly a person taking tips was also taxed from those tips. So no tip results in the person paying taxes not being made. That might be 90s and before.

I think fairer wages makes better services and experience overall.

[Siri137]

Where I live no one is expected to tip, and so no one does. I think that's only a phenomenon that can be found only in one nation on this earth, the USA.

[Anonymous]

I live in the US. I tip for good service and quality food. If I don't tip there is a reason and I won't be back.

[Anonymous]

In Europe and the UK tipping is rarely done, unless you think that you have been well looked after by the staff and the we tip directly not through the bill.
if US restaurant owners paid their staff a decent living wage then those staff would not be dependant on tips to make up their wage. I've lived in the US and I'd put a tiny tip in the bill, I'd always tip the staff directly.
In some countries it is seen as an insult to tip

[serious_miss419]

Nope and I don’t tip ever u less I’m ordering delivery

[Anonymous]

No. I had 2 sisters who were servers.

[TracyF]

No I don't