Why are Americans the only ones that suppose to tip at restaurants?

It's not cutomary to tip in England unless the service is excellent or exceptional enough to warrant it .. So generally speaking I never leave a tip .. as it seems to be very rare to get good service these days .. if we stopped tipping then the enplyers of the waitors/waitresses would have to pay them a decent wage ... All the time we keep leaving tips the employer can get away with paying a lower wage ..

In Canada people tip at least 15%. Some other countries to don't tip as it is a custom. However, often the tip is already included in the bill, so no tip is required.

I live in Australia and generally speaking, tipping is not expected under any circumstances. The only times I have ever tipped anyone were in a taxi (keep the change), when I get a pizza delivered (I know what a pittance delivery drivers are paid), and at a restaurant if it has had phenomenal service and food. Even then the most I have ever tipped would be about two bucks. I found this bit of info from here http://people.howstuffworks.com/tipping.htm and think it perfectly describes the logic behind tipping... "If you've ever worked in the hospitality industry, waiting tables, tending bar, carrying luggage, et cetera, you've probably depended on tips from your customers to make ends meet. Many people who haven't worked in this industry don't realize that servers, guides, drivers, and others who help make our dining, traveling, and other service experiences nicer, sometimes aren't paid even minimum wage by their employers. They depend on the gratuities that their customers give them for good service and friendly help. Although tipping is a multi-billion dollar industry, it isn't a globally consistent phenomenon. If you're traveling to another country, you'd better read up on its tipping customs or you may end up humiliating your waiter or angering your valet!" As for the differences between countries/cultures, I suppose its all about the way you are brought up. Tipping has never really been considered mainstream here, therefore noone expects a tip, and noone expects to give a tip. Perhaps the minimum wage here is higher?

Here in the UK we are expected to tip in restaurants and about the same %. We dont do it so reguarly in Bars but quite often will buy the barperson a drink. Many other European countries add a service charge into the bill so a least we get the option to give or not.