Part 3/9:
Across the ocean, tipping practices differ significantly. When visiting Europe, notably in Prague, the narrator found himself struggling with local currency and the complexities of calculating tips. With a few coins left as change, a misunderstanding of value led him to unintentionally leave a larger tip than he realized. Such misunderstandings exemplify how cultural differences can lead to mixed signals regarding service expectations.
Tipping in the U.S. has specific roots tied to compensation for labor, especially in industries where employees survive on tips to earn a livable wage. Yet, in many European countries, service staff receive fair minimum wages, and tipping is often seen as a bonus rather than an obligation.