Here in WA state, the minimum wage per hour is $15.74 (higher in some areas). Tipping culture says 20%, but that’s generally to support lower paid waitstaff in areas that can pay less than minimum wage by employers. Where/What are you tipping and what kind of service would you expect for a 20% tip?
In Seattle, the minimum wage will be $19.97/hr with no difference for tipped staff. What would you tip in that situation?
I don’t know about the U.S. If the pay or work conditions seem exploitative (incl. taking cost of living into account), then I don’t support that exploitation by going there.
Tipping is bizarre to me and and still not divorced from its ugly origins in Europe and U.S. Not many industries can say “hey, we treat our staff terribly, but you can make up for it if it bothers you that much” and maintain clientele. But for the hospitality industry, they haven’t moved on from exploitation and we’re complicit by entertaining them.
https://www.povertylaw.org/article/the-racist-history-behind-americas-tipping-culture/
McDonald’s has been paying $22 an hour for years on the Eastside. Workers actually get pretty good pay around Seattle. It still doesn’t go very far though, because housing is fucking ridiculous.