Visitor Upset Over 20% Tip Request at Water Park Kiosk
- A man in Hungary was shocked by a 20% tip request at a water park kiosk.
- The incident sparked outrage and went viral on Reddit.
- The debate continues on whether such gratuities at self-serve kiosks are justified.
A recent incident at a water park in Hungary has ignited discussions about the growing trend of tipping culture worldwide. A visitor shared his surprise on Reddit after encountering a self-service kiosk that prompted him for a 20% gratuity on his purchase of refreshments. The kiosk offered various tipping options, ranging from zero to 20%, leading to widespread outrage among Reddit users who deemed the request excessive. Many commenters attributed the rise in tipping expectations to American tourists, who they believe are influencing local customs by tipping excessively. One user lamented the shift in tipping norms, noting that customary tips in South America have increased from 10% to as high as 20% due to American practices. This sentiment reflects a broader concern that the American tipping culture is spreading beyond its borders, altering traditional practices in other countries. In addition to Hungary, similar tipping requests have emerged in other parts of the world. Cafes in Paris have been reported to ask for extra gratuities ahead of the upcoming summer Olympics, while pubs in the United Kingdom are also following suit. A London project manager expressed her frustration, stating that it feels unreasonable to tip when she has to wait in line to order her drink. As tipping practices evolve globally, the debate continues over the appropriateness of these requests and the impact of American customs on international tipping norms.