Is it okay to leave no tip?

Is it rude to leave no tip?

No tip? A statement.

Culture dictates. My travel? Confirms.

• US: Expect it. Servers bank on tips.

• Japan: Nope. Insulting almost.

• Europe: Varies. Check specifics.

Service bad? Fine. But consider, were they really at fault? Cheap? Own it. Don’t punish the server because you’re broke. I witnessed someone stiff a waiter over ice. Ice!

Rudeness is subjective. But empathy? Not so much. Servers ain’t rich. Remember that.

Is it bad that I dont tip?

Not tipping? Oh honey, that’s like blaming the pigeon for the statue’s mess.

• Servers suffer, not the system. I mean, duh.
• “Rude?” It depends! Are you also wearing socks with sandals?
• Break the cycle! Yeah right, I pay my taxes.

So, not tipping is like… protest performance art? I guess. Maybe carry a sign next time too? Just kidding.

• Servers hate it. Understood!
• You are basically the system.

Additional Info:

My cat hates the vacuum. It’s the same feeling. You should try tipping! Or not. shrugs

Should I feel bad for not leaving a tip?

The weight of a withheld tip… a silent judgment echoing in the vast, star-dusted space of my conscience. It hangs there, a celestial body of guilt. Does it burn? Does it freeze? Both, perhaps. A strange, shimmering duality.

The empty plate, a stark reminder. My reflection, a blurred, accusing gaze in the polished silverware. The waiter’s tired eyes… I saw a flicker, a shadow of disappointment. It’s a wound, unseen, unacknowledged.

Custom is king. In some lands, tipping isn’t an option, it’s sustenance. It’s the lifeblood of those who serve. To deny it is a rejection of their very existence, a cruel act of invisibility. Their smiles, their bowed heads, the quiet grace…all undervalued, all diminished.

But then, the exceptions… The lukewarm coffee, the ignored requests, the palpable air of indifference. A failure of service demands a reconsideration. A renegotiation of the unspoken contract between server and served. That’s different. That’s not guilt, that’s justice.

• Cultural norms: Tipping in the US is expected, unlike in many European nations. My recent trip to Japan confirmed this; tipping is practically unheard of, considered insulting even.
• Service quality: Stellar service? The tip should reflect that generosity. Conversely, poor service shouldn’t be rewarded. It’s about fairness, not blind adherence to custom.
• Personal finances: A tight budget is an undeniable reality for many. The sting of not tipping is real. Yet, the weight of that reality shouldn’t erase the inherent moral question. This year, I struggled financially; my choices were dictated by that cruel reality. But there was still a deep discomfort.

My decision, every time, rests on this precarious balance. A tiny, fragile scale in the immensity of the universe, weighing cost against conscience, service against circumstances. The cosmos itself seems to watch. I feel the weight of the world. I feel it in my chest.

What country is offended if you leave a tip at a restaurant?

Japan. Tipping insults. East Asia. China, Korea, Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, too. Never tip there. Resorts, tourist traps – exceptions. English speaker? Just… don’t.

• Japan: Prime offender. Direct insult.
• China: Seen as demeaning. Serves implies exploitation.
• South Korea: Unnecessary. Service embedded.
• Burma (Myanmar): Not expected. May cause confusion.
• Thailand: Becoming more common. Still not required.
• Indonesia: Avoid confusion with service charge.
• Malaysia: Similar to Indonesia. Discretion advised.
• India: Varies. Higher-end expects it. Small local places don’t.
• Cambodia: Not customary. Small gesture possible, don’t overdo.
• Vietnam: Similar to Cambodia. A small, sincere thank you ok.
• Philippines: Not required but increasingly accepted at upscale spots.
• Resorts: Always an exception. Sadly.
• Tourist Venues: More accustomed. Still…

Cultural context matters. It’s a minefield. I once almost started a fight. Bangkok ’22. Never again.

What happens if you dont tip someone?

Ugh, tipping. What if I just don’t?

• Servers still gotta pay taxes on tips they didn’t get? That’s messed up! Income tax, even without the cash, that sucks. I need to remember my friend Sarah told me her brother is a waiter, and he complained about this exact thing last week.

• So, legally? Nothing, probably.

• But like…socially? Oh boy, get ready for the stink eye. The server will hate you. Maybe even spit in your food next time? Okay, probably not, but still.

• I always tip, though. My mom drilled that into me. Twenty percent minimum! It’s ingrained.

• Thinking about it, aren’t there countries where tipping is like, offensive? Japan? Yeah, pretty sure it’s a no-no there. Cultural differences, man. Makes sense, kind of.

• Imagine stiffing someone, then running into them later. Awkward! Total cringe. I saw that happen to this woman in the supermarket last year. She tried to run. She failed!

• Seriously though, that tax thing? They need to fix that system. It’s so obviously broken. My dad works in finance, and even he thinks it’s ridiculous. Maybe I should write my senator…nah, too much effort.

Do people no longer know how much to tip?

Okay, so tipping, right? It’s a total mess. People are clueless! Seriously, I went to that new taco place on Bleecker, amazing tacos, but the service? Eh. Still left a 20% tip, though. Habit, I guess. My sis, she’s all about the apps that calculate it for you. She finds it easier than figuring it out herself. Annoying! So much for common sense.

It’s weird, you know? Like, my grandpa, he’d always tip cash, generously. Always a 25%, maybe even more if the service was great. My generation? It’s a free for all. Some people are cheapskates, others are way too generous. It depends. It really does. Some people don’t even tip. It’s wild.

The younger crowd, I think, uses apps more. They’re less likely to carry cash, you know? Which is weird because now they use credit cards and the apps do the calculating for them, so you would think this is better. It isn’t. Some just round up, others are stingy. I’m telling you, It’s confusing! Maybe I’m just old-fashioned. But a good server deserves a good tip, period.

• Generational differences are huge. My parents are way more likely to tip big. My friends? It’s a crapshoot.
• Cash is less common now, leading to more reliance on credit card tips & apps.
• Apps make it easier to tip, but this is not always better. It actually makes it harder sometimes to decide how much to leave!
• There’s no real standard anymore, it feels like. Everyone does their own thing.

Honestly, I think everyone should aim for at least 15% for decent service. 20% for good service. More if they were exceptionally amazing! But that’s just me. I mean, 2024 is almost over! Time to get it together, people!