"Qanset" wrote in message
u...
The wife and I are planning at trip to USA/Canada in the near future.
Is it true that the Yanks are really hung up on tipping, and that
FORGETTING to tip someone is courting disaster???

Like most tourists we will be traveling on a limited budget,this means
that anybody expecting free money from us will be advised to look
elsewhere.

A colleague of mine who honeymooned in Hawaii was told by a tour bus
operator, that he EXPECTED gratuities for his efforts, because his job
was poorly paid. What more can I say.???

I'm going to cop a lot of flak on this subject, but never mind I have and
open mind on accepting advice on World Travel.

Frankly, I find it difficult to believe this question. In the United
States and Canada, service personnel derive a significant portion of their
income from tips. Unlike in countries where a service charge is typically
added to a bill (whether for hotel, restaurant, etc.), this is not the case
in the U.S. or Canada. Expect to add about 15% to restaurant and bar tabs,
taxi fares, etc. As for tour guides, maybe USD 5-10 a day depending on how
good they are, etc. It is up to you.

Just plan on tipping and if you're from a country where tipping is not the
norm, enjoy it (and also enjoy the value of your currency as the U.S. dollar
is currently in the crapper. . . .)