This. So much this. I like in the UK, and i recently had this discussion with my boyfriend. In the UK this is how tipping works. If you like the service give the server something a little as a good gesture and i believe around 10% of the bill is eitquette. Anyway we ate out at a pizza express (like pizza hut but they a bit more up market and try to be more authentic in their pizzas) and he paid the bill and as he was paying by card it gave the option to tip which he did. And he then left her a bit of change on the little plate they bring with the bill on. I asked him why he tipped her twice "well she wont be earning much will she? They rely on tips" in America yes they do. Here in the UK its illegal not to pay your staff a min wage no matter their job title unless they are self employed. He was dumb founded. And then he said that still its a nice gesture. I pointed out its a nice gesture if the server did something that went above and beyond her expected job role. Basically the server was attentive as we was seated. Was good with recommendations. Thats good thats her job. She left us alone which i like, cant be doing with fussy staff that come over every few seconds asking us how our meal is. Although i do understand the management require them to do that. We caught her attention for drink refills again thats fine. But when it came to clearing plates she left us a long time. When it came to asking if we want desserts again a long time. She forgot we had ordered a dessert and there was no apology and then we had to ask someone else to get our bill for us as she walked by avoiding eye contact quite a few times. That did not deserve a tip. She was no busier when we left then she was when we first got there. In my eyes she gets a wage and thats all she earned on our table. The next time we ate out he paid more attention to the server. Who by the way deserved every penny of the tip i left him.