[kindlekitten]

Ok, it's late, or early, and I am once again up at an hour when I should be sleeping. I've been watching this wondering where it would go, I'm only going to address a little right now;

Stitch, Hitch has lived a lot more places (and traveled to) than you are aware of.

First, you've been using this phrase of "required tipping" in the US. I'm not sure where that is coming from. Apologies to all who have had other experiences, but other than notices along the lines of; "parties of over "x" (abd it's usually at least 12) will be automatically be charged "x" gratuity". I've seen that since I was in my early teens, long before this b.s. tax thing came about. As an individual, or with a small party, I have NEVER been required to pay a tip. In fact I'm pretty sure that I have shared that when I traveled all the time for work, I would periodically sacrifice a $20 for the cause of learning about service. I would rip a 20 into quarters periodically . When the food was reasonably good but the service attrocious and I knew not only that I would never be back, but it was a small way too make a statement, I'd leave a ripped quarter of a 20 as the tip. Hopefully, if there were even a few grey cells running around in the brain housing group, they would realize that I wasn't cheap, after all, I'd already committed a 20, but due to the desecration of the bill, they couldn't do anything with it. This was my major signal that they, by their service had desecrated my dining experience. Since the end of my constant work travel, I've reduced my sacrificed bill to a 5. Not making as much.

I've known career waitstaff that do indeed make between 50-100 a year. These are people at unique restaurants that are closely scrutinized before they come on, and everyone knows that their service, knowledge, etc is what has gotten them to where they are. These are a special class of servers and represent the higher end Hitch is describing, and quite honesty tend to more often be male. The mid range servers, that are at the chains like, oh, I dunno, olive garden and the like ( where I never eat ) are going to get the 15-20% tips. These are the supplemental incomes, probably not the primary earners. Then there are the stand alone, family owned/greasy spoons. .. regulars probably tip 15-20, traveers 10-15.

Where I'm expected to tip in the US;
Manicurist/pedicurest better tip if I expect to go back and have decent service. And I'm already paying about 50-60 an hour (at least and depending how much in having done, they can cram a lot of services together)
Beautician, oh, hell yeah! Cut and color? 150 to 300 charge. If you want to come back again and Make sure you don't walk out bald or with green hair, your tip will be well north of 30.

Massuse; the legal kind, but not one your insurance is paying for, about 35 and that's with a 75-100 hour charge

OTHER EXPECTATIONS;
mailman once a year at least
Newspaper, same. Garbage, same. If you have regular lawn service, same.

OH! I FORGOT!
Motel maids, bell boys, homes you visit where there is hired help that isn't necessarily full time, taxis

WHERE I'VE BEEN TIPPED AND DIDN'T EXPECT IT;
Ski instructor
riding instructor
VERY LAST PLACE I EXPECTED IT;
White Water Guide, reason;
"You didn't let us die "

So, it's late/early. I need some more sleep, and will address other countries later.

You 2 take your corners. I like and respect both opinions.