Did you know that Australians are apparently the world’s worst tippers? According to whom? Waiters, bartenders, surly New Zealanders? Nope, the Australians themselves. Turns out, they’re self-avowed bad tippers, but not out of spite. As one Australian notes, it’s a culture thing.

We just don’t do it; it’s not part of our culture.

Some Aussies do try but we invariably get it wrong: the wrong amount, done the wrong way, given to the wrong person.

And that’s the main problem. It’s not that Australians don’t want to tip (although that’s part of it), it’s that we don’t really understand how the whole thing is done when we try.

So, next time a four-top group of Aussies sits down in your section in New York (oh man, this lingo is really bringing me back to my waiter days), be prepared to either have an awkward explanation as to the cultural differences between the U.S. and back home, or go home with a little less in your wallet, it’s your choice. Just remember, it’s not personal.

Posted on November 03, 2010 by Matt Stabile