I tip my guys at the bike shop because they do a good job and treat me well, but this practice has been dicussed in its own thread.

Agreed. That's why I always tip when I visit the U.S. It does seem ironic, though, that some of those who are most in favor of tipping are the same ones who are launching the rudest of attacks against the OP for daring to even raise the question.

Do you tip sales clerks? Teachers? Carpenters? Bus drivers?

I see no difference on this subject whether I am touring on a bike or traveling by car. If I eat in a restaurant, then I tip because it is part of our culture. Certainly not in McDonalds or other fast food establishments, although I have even tipped someone in a fast food place that was especially helpful and friendly. Other cultures may not expect this practice, that is fine with me.

If you're in a bar in the USA, sitting at the bar (not at a served table) is it customary to tip the bartender when paying for your drink (or leave a tip on the bar when you leave)?

No, but I would tip a carpenter if I needed one, and I'm pretty generous (imo) with taxi drivers; I think theirs is a hard road to travel. We give gifts to our children's teachers, but not any to teachers I study with as an adult. Tips to pick up carryouts are questionable, and I'm relatively cheap on those. I usually tip at only a couple of places I frequent.

BTW to the OP and other subscribers, I hope I didn't hijack this thread, but how much more can you say about tipping in restauarants? I enjoy hearing all viewpoints, but I have learned a succinct conclusion to many of these controversial threads, "To each his own."

You're supposed to, and if you don't, you can expect your next drink to be watered down or--if it's being prepared behind the scenes--it might even be spat in, so think twice before 'stiffing' a barman in the 'good ol' ' U.S.A.

I find this to be a fascinating thread. Why are you posting to it if don't like it?

Just wondering.

>While it seems to be starting to creep in at times here in Australia, I'm not about to jump on that particular band wagon.

Yeah, I violently resist it. I object to being handed my change on a little tray, like I'm supposed to leave to some behind. I object to tip glasses in cafes, bakeries, etc. There are all sorts of ways I would prefer to communicate my dis/satisfaction with service than monetarily.

No two ways about it, the American tipping system sucks. You have to obey it while you're there, but you can prevent it spreading elsewhere. And there is evidence that the spread is very harmful. I read somewhere that in some places, teachers are leaving their posts and becoming tour guides, because the tips are far more lucrative than their posts. Now, what is more beneficial to a small community: tour guides, or teachers?

This is unfounded fearmongering. I tended bar in America for years. Bartenders in general have a high tolerance for jerks. You'd have to be quite a pr1ck to cause one to spit in your drink, and it takes more effort to dilute a drink or pour a short shot in many cases than not. Tipping as-you-go may buy you a little more attention from the barkeep, but plenty of people put it in their payout, too.

The best way is to tip on the 1st drink to make sure he'll keep an eye out for you later on, then add whatever you think is appropriate when you finally pay out.

That said, I had some pretty diluted and crappy Whiskey con Limons in "good ol'" Barcelona, and I'm a fine tipper. I wonder what that bartender's excuse was...?

Well obviously... "I'm from Barcelona Mr Fawlty"

but seriously, in my experience in Spain the bartenders are VERY generous when pouring spirits... especially compared with Sweden where the old thimble comes out... still knock you off your bar-stool when you get the check 'though

Basil Fawlty would spit in your drink in a heartbeat. Especially if you're German.

The vast majority of drinks I had in Spain were generously proportioned, which is why that little joint on Las Ramblas stands out.

So, you're a Catalonian living in Gothenburg? I was there once with a group of Andalusian students, and about the only complaint I have about the city is the price of booze. I came as close to being a teetotaler as I ever have during my stay there.

Perhaps also someone might enjoy hearing my viewpoint.

Nonetheless, of all the controversial threads I've read, such as listening to music while riding, using mirrors, taking the lane, running red lights / stop signs, etc. I don't think I have ever seen anyone publicly change their minds.

Calm down, amigo. Can't we disagree with becoming disagreeable?

I can. Did someone spit in your drink, or were you simply postulating?

I can understand the incomprehensibility expressed by people who live in places where tipping is not customary, about places where tipping is not only normal, but expected. This is a prime example of culture shock!

Upon reflection, the system of hidden charges, including taxes and tipping, is unfair to consumers. The true cost is never the "sticker price," but the indicated price + an arbitrary percentage. Many societies have evolved vibrant and viable political and economic systems without hidden charges. There is nothing "normal" about it, except that many of us have become habituated to shelling out extra.

When I travel to the United States, I notice that the rules of tipping are slightly different than they are in Canada. A shuttle bus operator in Los Angeles told me that he could easily identify Canadians because they never tip him. (This was the first time that I had heard that anybody tips bus drivers. Now, when I go to the United States, I make sure that I arrive with $10 in singles so that I am prepared for the inevitable unexpected tips.)

As visitors to foreign places, we have a responsibility to pay attention to the strange and incomprehensible rituals of our hosts!

I suppose at the other end of the spectrum, there is the phenomenon of haggling. The "sticker price" is not the price, but a starting point for negotiations. When I travelled in India, I witnessed Westerners freaking out because of the constant, unrelenting need to bargain. And learning when and where to not bargain is half the battle. It wasn't always easy, but I eventually cottoned on.

As always, for bicycle tourists (or any other kind of traveller), the rule is always, "while in Rome, do what the Romans do."

No, sorry for the misundrstanding, I'm not from Barcelona, I was referencing Truman's bartender's excuse being that he was (like Manuel in "Fawlty Towers") from Barcelona... obtuse attempt at humour...

Yepp, booze in sweden is not cheap... but on the other hand we have at least 10 months of lousy weather each year

If the budget is limited then most of food is going to be cooked ourselves But if we are in a restaurant I would probably tip *more* on tour than not on tour because of the extra service (sometimes!) needed by bike tourists. Ie can you give me directions to the local laundromat? Is X road going out of town busy? Could you fill up my four water bottles? (of course I'd do it myself but some restaurant bathrooms don't have cold water or can't fit the bottle under the tap) We're *reaaaally* hungry (they manage to get us extra large portions) You know you get the idea.

I don't know if they have or not, but I do know such things happen. I worked in restaurants in San Diego back in the 70's, and the wait staff didn't cotton to folks who stiffed them or left less than what they expected. By the way, as a bus boy, I was to be given a percentage of waitresses' tips, and there were several who'd come up with the flimsiest of excuses to give me less than my cut. "Oh, you didn't do this. You were too slow doing that, so I'm going to have to give you less today..." They, as it turns out, were the ones who *****ed and moaned the most when someone left little or nothing.

Excellent answer IMO.

I re-read the OP:

I confirmed my initial impression that the question reeks of moral superiority--I TOUR (by bicycle); therefore I deserve a subsidy from you people (who probably drive cars).

>Spain the bartenders are VERY generous when pouring spirits... especially compared with Sweden where the old thimble comes out... still knock you off your bar-stool when you get the check 'though

Ya rly. I think Grenada was the only place I've ever abandoned a paid-for mixed drink. A quick G&T before heading to bed turned out to be a highball 3/4 full of gin, and a bottle of tonic beside it. I got through about half the gin before deciding I didn't actually need to get drunk the night before an early morning bus...

From memory it was about 3.5 euros.

+1

I generally tip better, especially in eateries, while on tour than any other time. Mostly because I'm hungry and genuinely appreciative for the food. Also because bicycle touring is a relatively inexpensive gig and I feel like I can spare the tip money. If I find a half decent stealth campsite for the night, get up and head for a local breakfast place and get good service and food, I'm probably going to leave the best tip the waitress gets all morning. Especially if shes pretty.

I used to know a fellow who would tip more if the service was poor or if the waitress was homely. He figured she would need the money more than an efficient and pretty girl.