US Tipping Culture Rising: 20% Expected at Restaurants

In many US cities, a tip of 20% is now often expected at restaurants, with anecdotal accounts highlighting pressure from both customers and servers. In New York, servers like Kate Santos earn $11 per hour, relying heavily on tips to supplement their income. The number of American visitors to Iceland surged from 50,810 in 2010 to 660,114 last year, leading to the introduction of tipping at some local restaurants. This shift has created tensions, as locals find the new practice unreasonable, indicating a notable cultural clash regarding tipping standards.