Tipping / gratuity service charges at restaurants around the world

In Australia 'tipping by default' is becoming common at restaurants for group bookings of 10 people or more, in addition to surcharges for paying with a card.

Tipping culture has never been a thing here until very recently, and it seems to be 'bleeding' it's way into the dining-out scene.

Is it a 'thing' in your country and generally how does it work?

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Flenflyys · 31-35, F

I live in Canada and have completely stopped tipping. Everyone here makes at least minimum wage. I pay what the listed price is.

Hatt94 · 56-60, M

@Flenflyys this is a great idea. I dislike going to pay, especially when i get my own food, and the minimum tipping amount is 20%

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

I blame Covid.. Sounds stupid I know. But Covid did cause a massive shift to card payments by whole groups who previously paid cash and left a tip at the end. That and the reduction in the number of people willing to do this job now has put pressure on owners to retain staff through guaranteeing rewards..😷

Gusman · 61-69, M

I would enquire first about a tipping charge. If it was mandatory I would say you just lost a booking and I would post it on social media.
Workers are paid wages.
Who gets the mandatory tip?

justanothername · 51-55, M

@Gusman hospitality workers are paid marginal wages. Tipping shows gratitude for great service or delicious food.

zonavar68 · 51-55, M

@justanothername In Australia hospitality workers get paid real proper wages so tipping/gratuities should not be an expected part of the dining out experience and should be entirely optional for customers to choose to offer a tip or not. Similar to paying by cash to remove the credit/debit card surcharge most places try to charge now.

Gusman · 61-69, M

@justanothername Not here in Australia. They are paid hourly Award wages.
Age 20+
Mon - Fri, AU$22.61- US$15.19
Sat - AU$28.26 - US$18.98
Sun - AU$32.92 - US$22.91
Public Holiday - AU$50.87 - US$34.17

Muthafukajones · 46-50, M

Tipping was and has been a part of culture here for decades. The restaurant industry has taken advantage of it to pay sub minimum wages putting to onus on the diner to make up the living wage. Tipflation following the pandemic has gotten so extreme that many people simply refuse to tip.

justanothername · 51-55, M

Tipping should be 10% of the bill, minimum.

zonavar68 · 51-55, M

@justanothername I don't know what the norm for that is here - I don't dine out much except fast food places and they don't do tipping as part of the service offering.

MethDozer · M

15% is customary here. Having worked in service I always tip. A server is guaranteed at least minimum of their tips don't at least add up to that. Yeet minimum was just raised to $15 an hour here and that doesn't cover shit for anyone who has bills.

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