I grew up in Germany and never heard about 'retracting' the default tip. The only way I can imagine this is severe complaining to the point where they take something off the bill which I've only ever seen once or twice, where as in the US this is a frequent thing.

> the tip is included by default in the restaurant price. So now your choices are - add additional tip if you’re really satisfied with your service, or retract the default tip if you’ve been wronged in some way.

What's the default tip, that is to say, what's the max you are allowed to detract? Is it the same everywhere or does the default very by restaurant? I could see the appeal to laziness resulting in more consistent tipping, but also fewer tips for exceptional/attractive/flirty waitstaff.

Ultimately, I'd much rather do away with tipping entirely. I grew up never questioning it until I spent some time in places where tipping just wasn't a thing, and I've resented it ever since.

In the UK there's no tip included by default.

Wages of workers is included, just like the other overheads are. If you want to give a gift to someone -- a tip -- how could that possibly be even known in advance.

As it should be. Businesses should pay a living wage, and tips should only be absolutely voluntary, and without incitement.

A lot of restaurants in the UK will add a "service charge" which is supposed to be a suggested tip, and you can ask for it to be removed from the bill (and then tip separately, or not).

I’ve traveled all over Europe and lived in Italy for several years and I’ve never heard of this.

I think they mean retracting a “service charge” rather than trying to get away with paying 9 units for a 10 unit item. I’m sure you could have the service charge removed but the service would have to be awful for me to attempt it.

No there’s no tip in most of Europe. There’s a service charge which can’t be retracted, it’s part of the price.

European culture changes drastically every 100 km. Please be more specific.