Is tipping an American thing? I ask because of the four countries I've lived in, Americans are the only ones who tip. Even in countries where they're told tips aren't expected, they still do it, and now travel industry people expect it from Americans and people whom they think are Americans.
As recently as four days ago, I, as an American on a mini-cruise, got blamed for increasing people's expectations of tips from white people. (In Vietnam, from a New Zealander.) The tip buckets were plunked out in full site and the crew, which had gone missing, suddenly reappeared bearing huge smiles.
I know to some degree it's done in other countries, but it seems to be more demanded from Americans. Is that because we started it? I've no idea, but the more I travel, the more it does seem to be an American thing.