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[quote user="jumper"] I like New Zealand where they take a dim view of tipping. I never had a problem with service and on occasions offered tips and was told it is not acceptable in that country. I didn't ask if they are all paid a reasonable wage to cover the "lost wages" but assume they must be paid ok. I don't like the fact that in North America tipping is expected regardless of service quality. In some cases the manager scoops these tips or takes a large portion and the workers don't get paid well enough to live on. I also don't like the idea of tipping being a self report come income tax time. I suspect a lot goes un -reported and no tax is claimed. So these people benefit form the rest of us paying taxes on "normal" earned income. I suggest paying all service workers an adequate wage and tipping only when exceptional service has been presented. Just my 2 cents. [/quote] You two cents is spot-on.  I lived in Australia from 1999 to 2004. Tipping is not expected there because service workers are paid a living wage. The same is true in New Zealand, where I traveled frequently on business. The answer to tipping in the United States, including on-board Amtrak, is to pay service workers a living wage. Come to think about it, according to the BLS, Amtrak's on-board personnel get a reasonable compensation package. Here is the question that I raised previously regarding this subject.  If it is appropriate to tip Amtrak's on-board employees, why is it not appropriate to tip airline cabin attendants, intercity bus drivers, etc?  Their compensation packages are similar to those for Amtrak's employees. And their duties are as demanding as those of any on-board Amtrak employee. Tipping is deeply ingrained in our culture. It is demeaning to the tipper and tippee. Unfortunately, it is not like to change.
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