"return to the restaurant and note the difference"

It may well be the return rather than the tip that is creating the difference. I experienced that in Japan, where I certainly didn't tip.

It often happens in France that if you pay a second visit to a restaurant within a short time of your first visit you may well be recognised by staff and greeted as a regular, handshakes and all.

Happens all over Italy, too.

"I have travelled to Europe more than 30 times in the last 30 years. Until recently, tips were not "expected" but leave one and return to the restaurant and note the difference.

As a heads up, we just returned from our vacation and restaurants are adding an "optional" 11-12% tip on bills paid by credit card."

That the environment has become contaminated is no reason to carry on contaminating it. Stop now and let our societies go back to normal. Please stop destroying the places you visit.

>We had a laugh, at the end of which he tried tipping me 10 quid for my trouble.

I told him not to insult me and to leave his strange habits at home.<

You could also have explained that tipping was not necessary and that you would prefer that he contribute the money to charity.

((I))
Had he bought you 10 quid worth of Scotch, would that have been OK?

The first option sounds too politically correct. The second somewhat reasonable.
But I think a decent handshake is sometimes worth more than money.
Money is not always worshipped by everyone to the same degree.

Does it really matter what local customs might be? What do you feel is the right thing to do? Give an unexpected gift in appreciation for someone who works hard or just assume their minimal pay is sufficient?

I think local custom would be important to people working in the US who expect the local custom of tipping to be respected...isn't that what travel is about? Learning about and respecting the local culture? Why doesn't that seem to be the case with tipping?

Also I think local culture is important to locals who find their local culture changing because of tourists not respecting it...

>> Please stop destroying the places you visit.<<
Drama queen.

"Does it really matter what local customs might be?"

OMG. Please stay home. What if visitors to YOUR town/country took that attitude?

They do take that attitude. We're just not that anal about it.

>>Also I think local culture is important to locals who find their local culture changing because of tourists not respecting it...<<

Very well said jamikins. Tourists are somewhere for a short period of time, they do not know how the local culture is being affected. Tipping is a good example.

In my country Greece i have noticed foreign ( tipping) clients of hotels and restaurants ( in touristy places) receiving a different/better service compared to locals.

So the people who pay more get better service. What a concept.

Can only assume that (hopefully), Vincenzo's only experience of travel is dishing out crap on this forum.

>>Does it really matter what local customs might be?<<

Of COURSE it matters!! Please tell us you didn't mean that the way it sounds . . .

"drama queen"..............

no leave him bilbo he ain't woirth it

;-)

Bilbo

Are they adding the 10% after you have signed. If so thank god for chip and pin.

We always tick our statements off to our receipts, never seen restaurants stack the bill after you have authorised.

"pleae stop destroying the places you visit"

Yes, it fecking well does Vicenzo. I am sick of London based national restaurant chains pushing card machines in front of me with the first question " how much do you want to tip". Bugger all! We don't tip in Britain. Local pubs and restaurants don't have their machines preset with the question. Restaurant staff in Britain get paid at least the minimum wage which is topped up by our ridiculous benefits system. No different to any other industry like retail.

A server in Bruges who knew we were Americans asked us when he presented our bill with gratuity included and no line for a tip on the bill, "how much do you wish to tip me to show your affection of your new friend?"
Talk about singling us out. I'm sure he would not have asked this of a European tourist.
When we said we knew the gratuity was included, he expressed outrage that we were not leaving him more.

I had a similar experience in Jordan. I had negotiated the price for a ride to the airport, and therefore did not tip. The driver protested, on the basis that "Americans always tip". (Having dual nationality, I pointed out that I was British.)