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READING A2 BASIC II To tip or not to tip? 2
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Lecture1.1
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Quiz1.1
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READING A2- BASIC II To tip or not to tip?
To tip or not to tip?
Some people say the word tip was first used in the English coffee houses of the 18th century. A box with the letters T.I.P. was put on the bar so customers could pay in advance “to insure promptness”.
Over the years, tipping has changed, and now tips are given after customers finish their meals, not before they order. Tips now reward prompt service -but they don´t insure it-. The practice of tipping differs from country to country, making it difficult for travelers to know when and how much to tip.
In the U.S., where servers rely on tips because their “salary” is approximately 1/4 minimum wage, it´s usual to tip between 15 and 20 percent in restaurants. In Europe, a service charge is often included in the check (but not in every country), and customers may leave an extra tip if the service was very good. In China and Japan, tipping is not common, and people may even be insulted if you offer them a tip. So the answer to the question, “To tip or not to tip?” depends on where you are.