World Cup Fans Shocked by Confusing, Costly US Tipping Culture
International fans at the World Cup say US tipping customs are confusing and costly. England supporter Geoff Pryor finds it “weird” to be asked for a tip on a bottle of water. He says he’s happy to reward good restaurant service but was surprised by extra charges on simple orders. Australian visitors Chris O’Flynn and Robert McNamara say high match ticket prices have drained their budgets. Paying 20% tips on every meal or drink feels like an unwanted extra. One Brooklyn bar owner told the media that European tourists rarely tip at all, prompting him to add a mandatory service charge. Maiko Asahi and other fans from Tokyo also complained about rising expenses. With restaurant meals starting around $30, adding a 13–20% tip can seem like the cost of another portion. Many argue that businesses should pay staff better wages instead of relying on customer tips.
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