Re: “PS - In Japan tipping is perceived as insulting.”
When I first moved to Costa Rica as a teenager (school), I left a tip at a restaurant, and the girl brought me the money back as I left (she came outside and told me I had “forgotten my money.”) At the time, I didn’t speak Spanish well, and had trouble conveying that I was leaving a tip, but she insisted I take it. I later found out that tips were not only not utilized, but were illegal (or at least so I was told). Over the years, because of tourism, tipping has become more commonplace, but it’s definitely not expected in the average restaurant (not counting the touristy resort areas).
if it is illegal... then what do they do with it? charity box?