[bw81]

Have only just listened to the series - very eye opening, very funny and very well put together (nice job Newsy!).

I knew about tipping when I came to NYC but only through KATG did I understand that it was the only pay that most wait staff receive. I asked Keith and Chemda what was appropriate to tip on a drink, and when I was out with my wife and our 2 friends I always made sure we did.

We had pancakes one day at a place in NYC and the guy came back with the bill which had 3 suggested tipping amounts on it - the waiter had circled the highest tip which was 20% and he had stuffed up our order (which he didn't apologize for). So we didn't want to be jerks and paid the high tip.

I didn't realise it was an asshole move to leave coins as part of a tip though - I left about 6 quarters on top of the $10 (two $5 notes) tip at the Comedy Cellar. Coins are common in Australia, we were leaving the next day and thought why not give this guy extra since we are outta here in the morning.

"Don't come out if you can't afford to come out!" was the abuse hurled at my friend and I as we left, the waiter shaking the coins in his hand. We'd bought two drinks each (just beers, not fancy shmancy cocktails or anything) so I thought our tip was more than enough considering the guy didn't say a word to us all night except to abuse us at the end.

I can't speak for everyone outside the US but I think a lot of you assume most tourists know everything about your customs and are purposefully trying to rip you off. I think its disgraceful that someone can work for 10 hours and get nothing if the people they serve are shitheads. The restaurants should be charging enough for their food to pay their wait staff properly and still turn a profit. It works and you don't have to depend on the customer to pay your staff for you. I still tip waiters and waitresses in Australia but I know its just that - a tip, not their wage.