I was making the assumption that gratuities were included in the bill in Canada and perhaps that’s why tips are so low. But after researching several websites, it seems that tipping is voluntary in Canada and expected at the 15 to 20% level.

I’ve done some traveling abroad and grimace when I see loud, ugly Americans misbehaving in other countries, so I know we are not saints. But can any Canadian readers out there help me understand why some Canadians lose their tipping manners when they cross the border into the U.S.? Is it just that they’ll never see us again, so they feel they can do what they will?

I’m on the verge of automatically including a gratuity for all International customers. I don’t want to do that, but several restaurants in the area have adopted that policy.

I’m 40 years old, I’ve been drinking in pubs for 24 years (or more), mostly in the UK, but I’ve been to most countries in Europe, from Lithuania to Portugal.

I have never ever in all those years and all those places felt the need to give money to a barman whan all they have done is pour me a beer, yet you lot are saying I should, and my Canadian colleagues tell me they will spit in my drink if I don’t leave them some money.

I find this entire concept completely incomprehensible and need help so I don’t

1. offend people and
2. spend more than I should.

The Plymouth pub locals would offer a drink to bar staff which if they didn’t want I encouraged them to say “I’ll have that drink at the end of the shift” and then mark up what had been paid for – I would cash back the employee at the end of the shift.

In Bath tons of tourists tipped for fast service the locals once again offered a drink.