Hey Folks!
I’ve been living abroad for over half my life in a country where tipping is not the norm. At most you would round up. 19€ bill? Here’s a 20, keep this change.
Going to the US soon to visit family and the whole idea of tipping makes me nervous. It seems there’s a lot of discussion about getting rid of tipping, but I don’t know how much has changed in this regard.
The system seems ridiculously unfair, and that extra expense in a country where everything is already so expensive really makes a difference.
So will AITA if I don’t tip? Is it really my personal responsibility to make sure my server is paid enough?
I’m from Australia, where we don’t tip; and yes; you have to in America. It’s likely that the person serving you needs tips to survive, so think of it as money for them directly. (even tho in most cases I don’t think they get 100%?) I make a point of not tipping at home because people should get paid a living wage without having to rely on tips. I say you’d be the asshole because customer service employees in USA need that extra money to make ends meet.
But isn’t the the employer who is the asshole for not paying a living wage?
Yes, but that’s just the unfortunate reality