I generally concur. Living in Japan for a month, attending budget and 5-star accommodations and dining, it was very streamlined to have minimal tipping expected [or unexpected].
I've lived in Japan, and you notice the lack of tipping culture. Service is a lot worse. Go to any restaurant, you won't get service, refills etc. You have to yell or get it yourself. That's what the service would be like without tips. Servers have no incentive to take care of your table if they get paid the same either way.
I'm fine with that system, as long as it's setup that way. Give me a way to refill my drink etc. But sometimes it's setup where they have to do it, and you're either waiting an hour for a drink or a check.
Other countries don't have the same notion of what good service is, and don't expect the server to be up your ass about drink refills every 30s to count as good service. They expect you to ask if you need something, so they're not bugging you. It's just a difference in what's considered better. You see the other style at finer (expensive) restaurants in the US, sometimes. It's really nice to be able to chat with your fellow diners without some stranger constantly bugging you while being pretend-nice.
Right, I said that's fine as long as I'm able to serve myself it's okay. But when you can't find your server for an hour when you just want the check to leave, it's a bit ridiculous.
The tipping culture is directly reflective of the type of service American's like to receive.
I was just using Japan as an example of a different service culture since the GP brought up the comparison.
I agree that service is generally better in North America (vs the UK, at least), but I'm not convinced that the tipping culture has much of an impact. Tipping is so customary in the US that I find most people just tip the same amount - give or take 5% - even if the service was terrible.
That's extremely anecdotal, and I have experience in the other direction. I don't tip if service is terrible, I give over if it's great. I don't have numbers, but I'd assume people who have awful service will more likely tip less or none.
I'm fine with that system, as long as it's setup that way. Give me a way to refill my drink etc. But sometimes it's setup where they have to do it, and you're either waiting an hour for a drink or a check.