I have the same kind of relationship you describe with the people working at local businesses, and I live in a country where tipping is very much not the norm.

I have the same kind of relationship you describe with the people working at local businesses, and I live in a country where tipping is very much not the norm. We know each other by name, they know what I want, and back when I went for lunch at the same place every day they would have my burger ready for me when I got there without me ever asking. Humans are social creatures, and they will create social relationships. No money needs to change hands for this to happen.