Tip Top

Someone recently asked if I had overcome my tipping habit. I was thisclose to launching into a tirade about how not all of Pennsylvania is farmland and how I've never tipped a cow. Then he clarified: "You know, a gratuity?" (Oops. I've heard too many Amish jokes.) Tipping is not customary in New Zealand.

It's true that it was difficult to overcome this habit. In fact, I may have offended the man who delivered my bed by offering him a tip. On the other hand, a cab driver seemed overjoyed by my small tip. Then I felt like a sucker. The lack of tipping is most noticeable in restaurants, but the payment circumstances make it difficult to tip. Even in nice restaurants, you're usually expected to walk up to the the counter/bar to pay when you're done your meal. (There were some looong waits for the bill before I caught on to this practice.) It would be strange to go back to the table with a tip, and there is no space to add a tip on credit card slips.

I've now become so accustomed not tipping that I will probably be an accidental cheapskate upon my return to the US.