A lot of the advice here is good and has nothing to do with tipping. Pay your staff well, don't add service charges (adding "fees" for "health care" is a counte

A lot of the advice here is good and has nothing to do with tipping. Pay your staff well, don't add service charges (adding "fees" for "health care" is a counterproductive political statement), just charge a fair price that covers your costs. I love going to places that include sales tax in the advertised price. I would never return to a restaurant that nickel and dimed me for their health care expenses. But I also love tipping generously. I don't believe poor service should be punished with a poor tip. More likely poor service means your server is also having a really bad, overworked day and deserves the tip more. But I guarantee if you tip well every time you go to a local restaurant regularly you will get spectacular service after a few times. As for non Americans who are confused by tipping, it's no more important or intimidating than typical expected manners in other countries. In Paris shopkeepers expect you to say bonjour and au revoir and cashiers expect you to have exact change. There'll always be cultural gotchas when you travel. If you're unsure whether to tip it's totally acceptable to ask.