Published 14th September 2014

The word "tip" started to be commonly used for a gratuity around the 1700s in England, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, although Cornell University professor Michael Lind found evidence of a craftsman asking a customer fortrinkgeld or "drink money" in German, for an apprentice dating-back to 1509, so the practice emerged before its current name. In fact, the practice of tipping in restaurants probably emerged from the idea of "drink money" -- the idea being that a server should have a drink (or a tipple) at the customer's expense.

Although tipping is now thought of as a distinctively American practice, it was actually an Old World tradition that did not take hold until after the Civil War. (The whole notion of gifting to "inferiors" did not mesh well with the ideals of democracy, writes James Surowiecki in The New Yorker.)

Tipping periodically causes controversyin countries around the world. It's been the source of social debate, and also a cause of strife between customers and servers.
 

In China, traditionally there is no tipping. However, hotels that routinely serve foreign tourists allow tipping. An example would be tour guides and associated drivers. Many Chinese people thinking tipping is a corrupt customs in Europe.

In Japan, tipping is not a part of the culture. Japanese people see tipping as insulting. There is no tipping in any situation in Japan – cabs, restaurants, personal care. To tip someone is actually a little insulting; the services you’ve asked for are covered by the price given, so why pay more?If you are in a large area like Tokyo and can’t speak any Japanese, a waiter or waitress might take the extra money you happen to leave rather than force themselves to deal-with the awkward situation of explaining the concept of no tipping in broken English. Tipping in Japan or leaving gratuity is often viewed as being rude. Although you may find someone willing to accept your cash handout, leaving a tip is not a part of Japanese culture and can possibly even be misconstrued as an insult!
On the rare occasion that you actually need to give a tip in Japan, do so by putting the money inside of a tasteful, decorative envelope and seal it. Hand it to the recipient with a slight bow; do not expect them to open your "gift" right away. Pulling cash out of your pocket in full view of the recipient is the worst way to give a tip in Japan. Many Japanese believe that good service should be the standard and therefore, tipping is not necessary. However, some staff that work for Japanese tourist companies are accustomed to receiving tips and may be grateful to receive a small gratuity. If you ever do decide to tip in Japan, do not give cash directly from your pocket or purse. Always place the money in an envelope before you hand it over. The following are some “tips” for tipping in Japan.

Though tipping the waiter may feel like something that’s always been part of the dining experience in America, the fact is, the act of tipping is a borrowed custom from Europe.

According to Michael Lynn, a professor at the Cornell University School of Hotel-Administration, tipping in the United States began just after the American Civil War in the late 1800′s. Lynn suggests that wealthy Americans traveling abroad to Europe witnessed tipping and brought the aristocratic custom back with them to “show off,” or prove their elevated education and class.

Tipping—which may have originated in the taverns of 17th Century England, where drinkers would slip money to the waiter “to-insure-promptitude” or T.I.P for short—wasn’t embraced by all Americans when the custom began to make its way into our country’s taverns and dining halls. A movement against tipping began in the late 1890′s as many Americans believed that tipping went against the country’s ideals and allowed a clear servile class that would be financially dependent on a higher class.

According to an article that appeared in The New York Times in 1897, there was a movement brewing against tipping in America. The anti-tipping group believed that tipping was the “vilest of imported vices” because it created an aristocratic class in a country that fought hard to eliminate a class-driven society. In 1915 six state legislators from Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and South Carolina attempted and failed to pass an anti-tipping bill that would make leaving gratuities unlawful.

In 1916, William Scott wrote a stinging diatribe against tipping in his book, “The Itching Palm,” in which he stood up against the policy of paying for a 

service

 twice (once for the employer and once for the employee). He decried tips to be “democracy’s mortal foe” and creates “a servile attitude for a fee.”

In the American democracy to be servile is incompatible with citizenship. Every tip given in the United States is a blow at our experiment in democracy. The custom announces to the world…that we do not believe practically that “all men are created equal.” Unless a waiter can be a gentleman, democracy is a failure. If any form of service is menial, democracy is a failure. Those Americans who dislike self-respect in servants are undesirable citizens; they belong in an aristocracy.

Scott continues, “If tipping is un-American, some day, some how, it will be uprooted like African slavery”.

While diners and servers alike haven’t stopped grumbling about the tip system, there hasn’t been a serious legislative effort to end the practice since. What do you think?

On tinfoiler.com One Writer Writes As Follows:-
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As we all know, one of the biggest issues facing Americans right now is Socialism.  At every turn Barack Obama and his cronies are trying to trick us into thinking Socialism is good and force use to accidentally become a Communist country.  Yeah, some of the ideas sound good, and may help some people, but at the end of the day you have to look in the mirror and say to yourself “I am a Socialist, what would Jesus think?” Most of the American Socialist agenda has been created by Barack Obama, but some evil concepts have been around for longer, eating away at our society.  One of the biggest Communist evils that has become accepted by modern Americans is the concept of ‘tipping’. Christopher Columbus would be rolling over in his grave if he knew that good Americans were ‘tipping’ each other at restaurants and bars.  I never tip, and I’ve taught my sons to never tip.  The concept of giving someone ‘a little extra’ just for the heck of it has Socialism written all over it.  If I give someone a dollar, just because I feel good, what is that called in plain English?  It is called a handout.  And everyone knows the basic definition of Socialism is “giving people handouts”.  So every time you tip your waitress or bartender you are just saying “Here you go, Comrade.  I love Russia and Chinese communism.  Heil, Hitler.”
When I go to Outback Steak House or TGIFriday’s, the waiters of these establishments often get upset with me for not tipping.  I usually tell them that they are supporting China by accepting tips, but they often aren’t smart enough to understand what I am saying, which is why they work at a restaurant.  I will then kindly explain that begging for a handout is not only wrong, but embarrassing.  They are no different than homeless people asking for change, begging me for a dollar for bringing me a Salisbury Steak. This is the kind of thing that happens in China with all the Geisha women walking around like servants.  Serving people is for foreigners, not Americans.  Waiters should realize that and get a real job!  One that Jesus would approve of.
Waiters should be happy with the salary they’ve been given, instead of begging for more like some Mexican boy trying to sell Chiclets and hemp necklaces to spring breakers in Cancun.  Have some dignity.  I’m not sure why this has become acceptable.  I’d like to blame Barack Obama, but tipping has existed since at least the Clinton administration.  So maybe it was that dang pervert, Clinton, who started this nonsense.  How would those waitresses feel if everyone expected a tip from them?  How would they like it if when they went to the local abortion clinic to pick up their birth control pills (because we all know what kind of morals waitresses have) the atheist handing out the pills asked for “ a little extra handout” to make sure the pills were effective.  I don’t think that would sit right with them.  Well, that’s how the rest of us Americans feel at restaurants!

As Christians and Americans we need to step up and stop these little Socialist concepts that have invaded our nation.  Tipping is not okay.  It leads to Socialism, which leads to atheism, which leads to loose morals, homosexuality and orgies.  We’ve seen it happen to other countries, and now it is happening to us.  Take a stand and stop tipping.  Next time you have a delicious steak at Outback, instead of tipping cash, leave a bible verse with your payment. The waiter or waitress will be thanking you later.