I recently experienced something that left me utterly gobsmacked and believe me, I've seen a lot in my years of globetrotting. I was checking out of a lovely hotel in Mykonos, Greece—sun, sea, and... sticker shock.

A Shocking Tipping Request in Mykonos

As I handed my credit card over to the front desk, the clerk slipped it into the card reader and handed it back to me. And there it was—like a surprise party you didn't want—an American-style tipping prompt. What percentage of my entire hotel bill would I like to tip?

I was genuinely flummoxed, staring back at the two tanned, guilt-wielding staff members. "Sorry," I stammered. "Tip for what, exactly?"

"Well, you know, if you were happy with our service," one replied, referencing the dinner reservation they made for me at Scorpios. Hang on, isn’t that the concierge's job?

In utter disbelief, I clarified, "You want a tip on the entire hotel bill? Including the already-inflated high-season room rate, taxes, and the tips I’ve already left?" They did.

Of course, I didn't pay it. The sheer absurdity of it! But it got me wondering—would they ask a local Athenian for a tip? Not a chance, according to my Greek friends.

Social Media Reacts to Tipping Culture

So, I did what any self-respecting traveler would do in this century: I took it to TikTok and Instagram. I asked, "Has this ever happened to you?" The responses were swift and fiery. Some people were outraged at the sheer gall of the hotel, but a surprising number turned their ire toward Americans for creating this tipping culture in the first place. Suddenly, I, a Canadian now being called Karen, became the unwitting spokesperson for everything wrong with American customs. Yes, folks, the "old-ill-formed-why-don’t-you-just-go-back-to-Texas-Karen" (that's me) was schooled for even setting foot in Mykonos, apparently a no-go zone for the non-clued-up (and the over 30). But overwhelmingly, people agreed: tipping culture has spiraled out of control.

The Tipping Point: When Did Generosity Become Obligation?

Hearing people's tipping horror stories left me slack-jawed. When did tipping turn into an obligatory surcharge? Starbucks got a lot of flak. “Why on earth are we expected to tip for someone ringing up our coffee or frothing milk” a lot of people ranted? Shouldn't a multi-billion-dollar publicly traded company pay its staff a decent wage?

Bizarre Tipping Stories

One TikTok user shared how an airport self-serve kiosk at Martha’s Vineyard asked for a tip. Yes, a machine asking for a tip. I shit you not. Of course a few whipped up angry TikTokers said it served her right for going to Martha’s Vineyard in the first place.

Another woman, buying her wedding dress, was cornered by three salespeople demanding a tip for—wait for it—selling her the dress. Aren't they paid to do that?

Cruise Lines and Automatic Tips

Cruise lines are apparently notorious for this. They slap on up to 22% in tips and then circle back with a tip envelope at the end of the trip. Sure, you can dispute it, but why should you have to? It’s like being made to feel like a miserly, cheap piece of worn-out luggage for wanting fair treatment.

Tipping Norms Around the World

Every country has its own tipping norms. Japan and Australia are blissfully tip-free. The UK used to be, but now most London restaurants tack on a 12.5% tip, creeping towards the American norm of 20%. You can ask to remove it, but brace yourself for an awkward chat with your server or, worse, the manager. Most people just suck it up to avoid the hassle.

Where Does It End?

There’s no question that servers are underpaid. But should we, Joe Public, subsidize their wages with tips on everything from lattes to wedding dresses? Teachers are grossly underpaid too, but the best they get might be a shiny apple or an end-of-year Amazon gift card.

Should we tip nurses for painless blood draws or professors for engaging lectures that don’t put us to sleep? How about the folks at the rental car company? Where does it end?

Since my social media tipping rant went live, nearly a million people have weighed in. The consensus? It's gotten out of control. And for me, once a waitress, it seems greed and entitlement have supplanted genuine, friendly service. Employers are leaning on customers to pay their staff’s wages, and frankly, I’m not tipping the sales clerk at Zara just cause she handed me a smaller size of denim cargo pants in the changing room.

So, what is your feeling on tipping? Have you any crazy stories to share about being pushed beyond your tipping point?

So, the next time a machine asks for a tip, remember—generosity should be voluntary, not a default setting.

The Tipping Point: When Generosity Turns Into Obligation