SaYo and Kanakoron's Tea Time Chat #19: The Tipping Culture

It seems "tipping fatigue" is happening even in America.

In the US recently, as the number of tourists increases, even the locals are starting to feel exhausted by the reality of being asked for tips everywhere. It was striking to hear how what was once a token of gratitude has now become a different kind of pressure.

Discussing the cultural differences between Europe and Japan.

In places like Portugal and Spain, there is almost no custom of tipping, offering a sense of ease where tips are not expected even at restaurants. On the other hand, we also hear funny "only in Japan" stories about trying to tip in Japan, only to have it refused or mistaken for a forgotten item.

Modern digital payments are changing how we tip.

Even at cafes that used to just involve dropping coins into a jar by the register, now tablet terminals display percentage options, which can sometimes feel like silent pressure. We also hear about how a certain event changed their perspective on tipping. There is much more depth to the conversation, so please be sure to listen to the full episode.