Ah, we've all been there: to tip or not to tip? And trust us when we say that there are few social customs in the USA more confusing than tipping. I once was in a bar in San Francisco clutching confused onto my five-dollar bill much to the annoyance of a bartender who had merely got a bottle of beer out of a fridge for me. After walking away disgruntled, it wouldn't be until the next round of drinks that he told me that tips were expected, even if the only effort involved was him cracking a bottle open.
I soon learnt that for many Americans, tipping is a normal custom, like adding VAT at the till. It was actually once so hated that it was illegal in six states, but it seems that Americans now love it more than ever. So to help you out a bit, here is a handy guide to why you should tip, where to do it, and how much.
