Tipping is why you left the US? Really?

Yes, one of the MANY cultural reasons. One less thing I have to think about when paying for food. There's honestly too many reasons to list: cost, safety, food, transportation, work life balance, education, being near family, and to see more of the world.

Sounds like the “one of” is doing a lot of work there

You said one of the main reasons which is really silly.

Tipping isn't the reason I left, but after some years away, it's in the top 10 or so reasons I'm unlikely to move back.

It's pretty nice to go to a cafe, pay a fair price, and not be guilted into 20% extra by a PoS machine.

> It's pretty nice to go to a cafe, pay a fair price, and not be guilted into 20% extra by a PoS machine.

Are you worried the machine will think less of you if you don't tip? Where does guilt come into it?

"Guilt" is an exaggeration, but the human behind the machine might care. It's a tiny inconvenience all things considered, and more of a principal than a practical issue. It helps tip the scale of where I'd rather live.