>Just for interest- in many (most) first world jurisdictions, the sticker/menu price is what you pay, including tax and service fees.
>
>Tips are voluntary and only customary for exceptional service, in a restaurant. You'd never tip a taxi driver unless it's Christmas in London and they go cross-country to get you to Paddington just in time for the train you thought you'd missed. ;-)

I would not go that far to say "exceptional". In a restaurant it is customary to give a round sum - you would pay for lousy meal and/or service just the amount the price on the menu card and ask for the change. But the customary tip for service without big problems is nowhere near the percentage range posted as customary in the US. With an even lower range tips are expected for taxi drivers. Barber/hairdresser/masseur: much more range, esp. if the person doing the work is employed.


>US tourists are liked (at least in their first few days in-country) because they give juicy tips.

There are some places (upper range hotels and restaurants) where the waiter will try to ask if given a unusual tip how expirienced the US visitor is and - if it can be done elegantly - educate the visitor on customs here. Works most of the time to their advance: they are still given a larger than usual, even if reduced tip, but the probability of a second visit is highly enhanced. I do know an american businessmen who is coming every year to my city for a week and every year at least one evening he visits the restaurant he was told about customs here again - with a group of 10+. The quick buck is not always the best...