Comment by kelnos

Not sure where you have (or haven't been), but I've been to several countries where I've tried to tip, and it's confused or even embarrassed the staff. They insisted I take my change. Granted, this was 15-20 years ago, and unfortunately tipping has become more pervasive, not less, so maybe if I were to revisit those places, things would be different.

But I do know this is still the case in Japan. Some Japanese service workers or small business owners will even be insulted if you try to tip.