One widely accepted American custom that many other countries find unusual is the practice of tipping in restaurants and other service industries. In the United States, it’s common to tip service workers like waitstaff, bartenders, hairdressers, taxi drivers, and hotel staff as a way to augment their standard wages, which are often quite low. Tips can range from 15% to 25% of the bill, and it’s understood that this extra payment is a key part of the worker’s income.
In many other parts of the world, however, tipping is either not common practice or is included in the bill as a service charge. For example, in much of Europe, servers are paid higher wages and tipping is not required, though small gratuities for exceptional service are welcomed. In countries like Japan and South Korea, tipping can even be considered rude or unnecessary, as quality service is usually included in extensive training and pricing models.
This divergence in cultural norms can be confusing for both American tourists abroad and international visitors to the U.S., where the expectation to tip for various services can lead to misunderstandings and uncomfortable situations. The American tipping system reflects a broader cultural emphasis on rewarding individual effort and performance, but it can also highlight systemic issues related to wage standards within the service industry.
