September 29, 2025

The United States is stirring up trouble again—this time with its wild tipping culture! Many, including locals and travelers, are fed up. X user Billy Binion recently ranted, “A rant: Tipping culture is out of control. I’m a generous tipper. But 20% for someone to make eye contact & hand me a muffin is crazy. Restaurants widely suggesting people tip 30% now is kookoo bananas.” Is America tipping into chaos? A 2023 Pew Research shows 72% of Americans feel pressured to tip more places than before. Canada’s also feeling “peak tip fatigue.” What was once a thank-you gift now feels like a heavy burden. Critics say tipping changed from kindness to guilt. Asians, often tagged “bad tippers,” might just be confused! So here’s a spicy simple guide by Nupur Amarnath to tip like a pro: 1. Tip, no matter what! Sujata Assomull reminds us that waiters and hotel workers count on tips, just like salaries. Anjali Patel Mehta agrees after her US retail days, saying small tips matter big time. Suneeta Sodhi Kanga’s trick: 5% means "thank you," 10% says "thank you very much," and 15% means "delightful!" Chef Pradyumna Harithsa hopes Indians see tipping as respect, not just spare cash. 2. Do your homework! Anita Rao Kashi warns, every country has its own tipping rules. In the US, tipping 15-20% is almost a must. Europe? Usually 5-10% or just rounding up. Japan? Sometimes they refuse tips! Traveler Saee Pawar’s Vietnam boat tip story shows how locals’ advice is gold. 3. Budget those tips! Assomull and Sharma plan holiday tips ahead, usually 10-15%. Chef Priyank Singh Chouhan says in tourist spots, tips boost staff pay. Tip in cash to make sure the person actually gets it! 4. Cash or card? Chouhan says, “Carry cash and tip directly.” Gautam Sinha highlights East vs West: In China, tipping is joyful; in Western countries, more of a must. 5. Round it up! Lakshmi Sharath always rounds up bills—it’s polite and generous. But don’t round down! Especially in Europe, it's a nice way to tip. 6. In India, tip 5-10% if no service charge. For delivery, ₹20-50 is sweet. Small tips for attendants or helpers also count. Sabrina Sait stresses tipping is a team thank-you, not just for your server. 7. Tip everyone! From baggage to concierge to housekeeping—Sujata Assomull always tips the help at every step. 8. Must-know tipping table! Jared Dillian says: Restaurants in US, tip 20-25%, elsewhere 10-15%. Valets: $5 in US, ₹50-100 in India. Uber? Some say no, but modern apps expect tips. Housekeeping: $5-10 daily. Porters get a plus tip in India. Delivery apps have tipping options—add a little extra in bad weather. 9. Tip quietly! Prepare small bills, avoid flashy handovers. Keeping it simple keeps things classy. 10. When not to tip? Anjali Mehta says tipping should be a choice, not forced. Pradyumna doesn’t tip for bad service but loves rewarding kindness. Saying no tip sometimes tells staff they need to improve. Tipping might be a maze, but with these ten hot rules, you’ll never get lost! From NYC diners to India’s streets, tip smart and keep smiles glowing everywhere you go!

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Tags: Us tipping culture, Tipping guide, Travel tips, Hospitality service, Tipping etiquette, International tipping,