We each have a debit card linked to an account that we place a specific amount of cash in when we travel. We use those cards to get local currency from ATM’s. I would never use a debit card linked to our main checking account.
got it- so maybe set up a small checking account. It seems overkill.
I’ll try to figure out if i’ll need to tip and cash and if so how much. Might be easier to pay whatever the fee is if I’m getting like $100 or less.
Here - I carry around loads of singles. My brother in law works at a hotel in Vegas - when i’m out to visit, he loads me up with singles. They’re great.
At Panera, here’s a dollar. Greek place - dollar. Hotel room - dollar or two.
Having small bills makes life easy. Not sure if in these other countries if it’s bills or coins - but we’ll have to learn the expected outcomes - and plan for them.
But i’m loathe to use a debit card - here or otherwise - and i’m shocked at the # of people who use them.
I know someone who lost a boatload - he got it back - but not as easily as they make it out to be.
Thanks
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That’s the thing—we otherwise never use a debit card here at home. We set up Capital One accounts that have a debit card. Unless we are travelling we never use them, and have a finite amount of money in those accounts. If that gets hacked, we lose a few hundred dollars, that’s it.
With credit cards there are lots of protections if your account gets compromised, not so with debit cards—so we use debit cards only as described above. We’ve used credit cards in Europe numerous times without problems, and even if there was a problem, we wouldn’t be on the hook for the unauthorized charges, unlike a debit card.
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Before COVID madness, the norm was only to tip when a service was rendered, like waitstaff serving at a restaurant or a valet retrieving a car. During COVID it became the norm to tip when buying something even if no service was rendered, like when one picked-up take out food. I think the reasoning was that people were working when much of the world was shut down and they deserved a special “thank you”. The problem is that COVID madness is over (or at least on hiatus) and businesses are still asking for tips when no services are rendered.
I waited tables for a while in another life and am typically very generous with tips for service staff, but the expectation for tips when no service is provided is starting to grate on me.
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Everyone definitely does not love or have use for USD…tip in the currency of the country you are in unless it is in a very high inflation country.
A couple of things. First, don’t use your debit card anywhere if you can avoid it. Not worth it if someone grabs your number. Second, try to always tip at restaurants in cash. I don’t trust ownership to not withhold tips for some reason. I don’t have an issue with waitstaff tipping out bartenders or busboys or even if the agreement is to tip out the back of the house.
We have all started to see the 3% fee if you use a credit card at restaurants. I hate it and won’t pay it. But I have heard of one place that is withholding the 3% from waitstaff tips. Meaning if you tip on a card $10 the waitstaff only gets $9.70.
It is literally the nickel and dimeing that gets me. Makes me not want to even go out any more.
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Just arrived in Japan. it seems not tipping us the norm and very refreshing! The wheelchair pushers refused even our offer of macadamia nuts as they said it’s not something they are authorized to accept. Even the cabbie didn’t expect a tip.
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Yes, it’s insulting to be tipped in Japan.
Don’t tip!
If you do, you’re saying “you don’t make enough money, so here’s some more from me (because I’m so rich and can hand out extra money)”
At least, that’s how it’s perceived.
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I am happy that the price is the price. Hurrah!
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My understanding of why tips aren’t accepted in Japan is that if you give someone a tip, they view it as a gift and they’re obligated to return a gift to you. It puts them on the spot to accept a tip.
Off topic, but have a wonderful trip! You have waited quite a while to take it. 
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Why should the restaurant not withhold the 3 percent from the waitstaff?
I never pay my tips in cash as I want the waitstaff to report and pay taxes like everyone else.
The 3% is the credit card interchange fee (not tax).
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This should be included in the cost of running business. Boo.
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I had a tipping situation today with my massage therapist. I bought a multi session package from him during the pandemic so he’d have some cash. Finally used that up and bought another today, and somehow expected to use a check. But…he now takes CCs. Fine. Great! I was shocked by the typical percentages when I went to sign and didn’t check a single one. Now I feel a mix of schmuck for not tipping as he is wonderful and resentful that this too is now tipped. Opinions?
You are asking if you should tip just because you buy a massage package? It’s like buying a gift certificate from a restaurant, right?
I would not tip but I would have felt awkward being put in that situation.
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Were tips always expected at this place? I’d so, you can always bring an envelope with some cash to give as a token of appreciation after each session.
It is one guy with a massage space in part of his house, so the financial transaction was directly with him as always. I had no clue that I could, should or shouldn’t tip previously. It was never a consideration.
Then don’t feel guilty about this. 
I wouldn’t add a tip in this situation.
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Thanks, BB! Will take that advice and move on.
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