haha, this thread is US culture vs Everyoneelseintheentireworld culture it seems
as an English chap I find your whole tipping idea pretty stupid and patronising. If I order food and it comes to $10, but in order for the staff to make a living I really need to pay $12 then... how about this - charge $12 in the first place??!
I do tip from time to time if the service is very good, but 5-10% max, generally no tips at all, maybe because the food is already quite expensive here? A typical meal in a medium-quality place costs around $40/head, I really don't feel inclined to add another $10 to that just for the sake of it. If they can't make a business on those prices then charge more.
