Tipping Etiquettes

Tipping Etiquette can be quite a dilemma, especially when traveling overseas, but being prepared will prevent it from becoming an embarrassing situation.
The rule is Be Prepared.
T-I-P tip. 'To Insure Performance'. Some schools of thought believe that tipping should be done in advance - to insure (ensure) performance - especially if you want to impress someone.
Tipping in advance would take on a new challenge - how to know that you are tipping the right person (smile)?
Travel Tipping creates one of the biggest dilemmas facing the traveler in countries where tipping is the norm and expected. (Who to tip? | How much to tip? | How little to tip without appearing stingy? )
Even when the tip is added to the bill as a service charge, a further tip is expected in many cases.
The service industry is notorious for this practice. In the USA, Restaurant Tipping etiquette requires that a service provider be paid 15% to 20% of the bill rendered. Some European and Asian countries would be happy with a tip of 10% to 15%. In Australia and New Zealand there is no such thing as tipping etiquette. Employees are paid a decent wage so tipping is generally not expected and if proffered, the recipient could be delighted or embarrassed or both.
In some, inhabitants expect to be tipped, some discourage tipping and some would be surprised if tipped.
Ask your travel agent about what is expected in the places you visit. So called 'Guides to Tipping' are so full of contradictions as to defy logic. The practices must have evolved in various mystifying ways. Assume that a tip is expected of you.
Use Common Sense to determine the amount.
In countries where tipping is the custom, tip 10% of the commodity charge for ordinary service. And up to 15% for superior service (20% in the USA and Canada). Pay a dollar or two for minimal service provided and ten to fifteen dollars for exemplary service that has extricated you from a tricky situation.
Always carry a fist-full of dollar coins and notes (or local currency equivalent) to reward a service if you are within spitting distance of a hotel, restaurant or any place where someone may do something for you to make your life a little easier.
It goes without saying that when in a foreign country where tipping is expected, pay the dollar equivalent in the local currency.