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As a regular cruiser (ie person who goes on cruise holidays - not any other sort!) we are constantly amazed, and have a good laugh at, our fellow American guests who feel the need to add a tip to bar bills when an 18% gratuity has already been added or who give a tip 'up-front' to the maitre d' thinking that they will somehow get better service (they don't), but a recent trip to Japan made us feel ashamed that we might be thought of as being of the same breed. Having researched the country before we visited we knew that tipping in Japan is not expected and is often seen as quite offensive. On our first tour the guide reinforced this in her introduction to Japanese customs, yet at the end of the day the American couple beside us opened their wallets to give the guide a tip. This caused our guide to be visibly upset at which our American cousins tried to give her even more! Doh!
So what is it about Americans that makes them want to tip all and sundry? I have no problem tipping when a service is given 'above and beyond' what would normally be expected when someone does their job but by definition this should surely be an exception rather than the norm. What do nationals of other countries make of this trait?
So what is it about Americans that makes them want to tip all and sundry? I have no problem tipping when a service is given 'above and beyond' what would normally be expected when someone does their job but by definition this should surely be an exception rather than the norm. What do nationals of other countries make of this trait?