Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Canadian and other Foreign visitors to the US, why do you tip less?

Leto · 01-30-2008, 12:46 PM

Just to clarrify and turn down the heat a bit, I think the intent of the OP is a query as to why visitors (and yes mainly Canadians) seem to ignore or be ignorant of the local tipping customs in the US.

It was not an intention or opportunity to snipe about super power this, or arrogant tourist that, or (good grief) a discussion about relative health care systems (yet again). Nor is it a chance to be condescending and holier than thou. I think that is beneath all of us here in this forum - I hope! Host has provided some valuable insite on this matter.

The logical outcome of a group of people (Canadians) behaving in a predictable and less than acceptable local manner (regardless of the cause) around tipping will be to engender a reaction that is unpopular.

I find it sad that I get lumped into a group of tightwads because I am Canadian. But, it seems that 15% gratuity will put me in that group because the data that Host has provided (let's ignore the source for now) indicates that this is below the US average of 18.7%.

If I want to have good service in a US restuarant I should be circumspect as about my origins (no wearing a Maple Leaf on my back, no loud boorish behaviour that would typify me as a tourist as it seems that tourists tend to be like this anywhere) and hope that my lack of accent doesn't give me away.

That's reality. The same reality will ensure that I don't drive a rental car in Miami, or book a vacation at a Mexican resort, or key in my PIN at an ATM without covering my hand.

01-30-2008, 12:46 PM	#163 (permalink)
Leto Junkie Location: The Danforth	Just to clarrify and turn down the heat a bit, I think the intent of the OP is a query as to why visitors (and yes mainly Canadians) seem to ignore or be ignorant of the local tipping customs in the US. It was not an intention or opportunity to snipe about super power this, or arrogant tourist that, or (good grief) a discussion about relative health care systems (yet again). Nor is it a chance to be condescending and holier than thou. I think that is beneath all of us here in this forum - I hope! Host has provided some valuable insite on this matter. The logical outcome of a group of people (Canadians) behaving in a predictable and less than acceptable local manner (regardless of the cause) around tipping will be to engender a reaction that is unpopular. I find it sad that I get lumped into a group of tightwads because I am Canadian. But, it seems that 15% gratuity will put me in that group because the data that Host has provided (let's ignore the source for now) indicates that this is below the US average of 18.7%. If I want to have good service in a US restuarant I should be circumspect as about my origins (no wearing a Maple Leaf on my back, no loud boorish behaviour that would typify me as a tourist as it seems that tourists tend to be like this anywhere) and hope that my lack of accent doesn't give me away. That's reality. The same reality will ensure that I don't drive a rental car in Miami, or book a vacation at a Mexican resort, or key in my PIN at an ATM without covering my hand. Last edited by Leto; 01-30-2008 at 12:51 PM..