To Tip Or Not To Tip, That Shouldn't Even Be A Question In Small Towns...

........and yet it seems, unfortunately, that it is.

Tipping is a customary practice in many parts of the world, especially in the United States and Canada, where it is considered a significant part of the hospitality and service industry. In fact North America has the highest rate of expected tips (15%-20%) in the world (check out the map below....it's pretty interesting)!

Credit : https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/mapped-how-much-should-you-tip-in-each-country/

However in Canada and the United States, tipping practices can vary significantly between big cities and small towns. In small towns, the dynamics of tipping are often influenced by several factors, including local culture, community relationships, and economic conditions. I've lived in both and I can't tell you the number of times servers in big cities seem to be staring a hole through my wallet as I pull out my cash or card, versus the absolute astonishment with which small town servers stare at me as I offer a tip. I've even had some employees actually bewildered and refuse to accept any such gratuity ("It's just what we do, hon."), to no avail.

In small towns, the social fabric is often tightly woven, with strong community ties. People tend to know each other well, and this familiarity can influence tipping behavior. Service providers and customers are often acquaintances or even friends. This can lead to more personalized service but may also result in tipping less because of the informal nature of interactions.

Small towns may also have different economic conditions compared to larger urban areas. This can influence both the expectation and the ability to tip. Often, the cost of living in small towns is lower than in big cities. As a result, service workers might earn less, and patrons might tip less. In addition, the average income in small towns can be lower, which might mean that both service providers and customers have less disposable income.

If you want my opinion (thanks for asking!) here's where you can't go wrong as a patron :

T.

I.

P.

Tip based on the service, tip based on your income, tip based on the product received, and tip based on your own personal factors, but tip SOMETHING! If you're a traveler, you probably have a little extra disposable income, so why not tip a little extra of it to those incredible small town service industry businesses. Your gratitude will not go unappreciated, I guarantee it!