Sir, – In any discussion about our adoption of US tipping culture, it’s worth considering that in many US states there are two minimum wages – a standard and a lower one for all staff who get tips. So a tip in the US really is part of the server’s wages. Clearly this is not the case here.
I’m more than happy to tip for good service but not for anything coercive or inappropriate (eg, for a simple transaction such as coffee). – Yours, etc,