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Why do Americans still tip generously for poor service?
One of the things foreigners have to get used to when they visit the US is the tipping culture. Tips are always expect, but what you paid was always optional based on the service you received.
Things however, have changed a lot in the US, especially with the widespread adoption of cashless digital payments. If you pay for your meal with a credit card, debit card, or Apple Pay, the terminal will ask you to select an option. This typically includes 18 per cent, 20 per cent, or even a 22 per cent tip. Whatever happened to 15 per cent?
In Europe, it’s traditionally 10 per cent and no one will bat an eyelid if you forget to pay. But one thing that is quite standard to see is a service charge of 12.5 per cent.
It means you don’t need to pay a tip. I’m okay with that here in Europe. It makes life simpler and helps the staff. But I had a funny incident in a diner in New York.
I went to this place called Morningstar for breakfast (not the fund rating agency). It’s a diner chain in the city. The service was excellent on the first day. I had a delicious three-egg omelette with free coffee refills. The rest of my family had pancakes, bagels, and all those delicious American breakfast treats that you must try. I tipped a generous 20 per cent and felt good about it.
The next day I went back to the same place. This time there was hair in my omelette, and I complained. The waiter was impatient and didn’t listen to my daughter's order, so I repeated the order for her in the King’s English. The chap was probably a bit tired and seemed friendly enough. I wasn’t annoyed at all. I felt a bit sorry for him.
But then the bill (or check) came. And that annoyed me. He had whacked on an 18 per cent service charge to the bill. Then he came to me with the receipt with an option to pay a tip.
I couldn’t believe it. The nerve. I would have paid this chap a 20 per cent tip anyway because I’m nice and mistakes happen. He didn’t cook the omelette. He was just tired.
Anyway, I didn’t make a big deal about it. The guy short-changed himself on my good nature. What can I say, American service? You just can’t beat it.
Source: Chartr
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