Having worked in several service jobs while a studenthere is my league table for the best to the meanest tippers:<BR>1. English<BR>2. Irish<BR>3. German<BR>4. Dutch<BR>5. Spanish<BR>6. Arabian countries<BR>7. Italian<BR>8. Indian/Pakistani<BR>9. Japanese<BR>10.Americans

This one really needs to be put in his place, but I'll leave to the experts!

I already disagree as an American. If the service is good we always leave 20%. If the waiter/waitress is really nice we leave up to 25% sometimes even doubling when we're really feeling charitable!

My husband, who is American. He just tipped our limo driver 25%! I told him it was too much but he thought the guy was very nice and could use the money.<BR><BR> I don't know where you work Mack, but I think you're wrong about Americans. Everyone I know regularly tips 20%.

Mack,<BR><BR>I certainly hope you have your list bacwards. Otherwise, you don't know what you're talking about.

The Dutch 4th? Ever heard the expression "going dutch"?

Hey, folks, relax. Mack just said it wrong. Anyone can tell that the list is backwards. He meant to say that he was listing them from the meanest to the best. We all know that it is a major miracle to get more than 10% out of anyone English, while Japanese and Americans are invariably the best tippers. But what happened to the French?

Surely the "best" tipper is one who always tips appropriately (that is, neither over- nor under-tips based on local standards/practices)? For example, an American who indiscriminately leaves 20% for average service in a London pub is just as "bad" a tipper is an Englishman who leaves a dollar in an NYC bistro.

Americans are the best tippers cos they think all waiters are paid the lousy rates that are standard in the US. I always loved it when Americans came in because they ALWAYS appreciated good service with a hefty tip. I think every one else did too but they didnt think they had to tip so heavily in order to express it! (This from waiting-on in Central London)

Best tippers are old guys with young girlfriends.

Too true!

See, Mack -- I told you they'd get you!

I don't tip ANYONE !!!<BR><BR>And, I am ding-dang proud of it !!!<BR><BR>And, I am Israeli !!!

There was one of these surveys recently in which Icelanders were described as the meanest tippers. Of course in Iceland they don't tip because they expect that people are paid a living wage. People tend to tip according to their own customs at home. In England the usual tip is 10% and it usually goes into a kitty and is shared between all the staff.<BR>Personally I think that tipping is annoying for the customer and degrading for the recipient. It seems that the US is one country where everyone seems to have their hand out. If you sneeze and somebody says "gesundheit" you feel that you ought to tip them.

The nouveau riche, or those pretending they are. And the insecure.

No doubt, it's Tipper Gore.

Or Lanny, maybe those that just aren't cheap. Eh?

My husband always tips 20%. Establishments that automatically add 15% gratuity to the bill, cut the tips of their wait staff. What's up with that?

Strangely Americans leave tips for even indifferent service. I don't. If I get exempary service I tip 20-25 percent. This is rare, but I had a great server Saturday so I was happy to do this. If I get good professional service I leave between 15 and twenty. However, if I get below average service. not necessarily bad-just not good, I leave zero. Sorry but I see no reason to tip anything for substandard. So careful with me servers, the third step is a doozy.

If you get take out from a good restaurant, do you tip? I've been wondering if I should although I haven't been.