Quote Originally Posted by KSH View Post
So when you eat at a sit down place... do you not have to tip? You just pay the bill as is, even though a server has helped you?

I haven't been to Austrailia so I'm not sure how it works over there.

I know in other countries the tip was added to the bill already. I didn't like that at all. The server knew he was getting tipped bad service or not.
Certainly in New Zealand you don't 'have' to tip. Peopel earn at least minimum wage so any tips are bonuses. In a nice sit down resturant I might tip for excellent service, and there is one regular place we go to where we tip a bit (and always get good service). But normal service in a middle of the road resturant I don't tip. Some receipts have a line for adding a tip - but its quite OK to ignore it. You don't have to tip taxi drivers here - I've even had cab drivers seem surprised when I say 'keep the change' from $10 on a $9.50 cab fare (which I would always do).