John - I've heard that about tipping in Australian restaurants. Interesting.

Here, the Charge-card or Debit card machines ask if you want to pay 10%, 12%, 15%, 20% or 25% tip - or a definite amount, as you are cashing out at the table or front counter.

Many coffee shops or luncheon shops (Not Tim Hortons) will even have a tip-jar at the cash register.

Rather presumptuous, eh?

Most restaurant employees only receive the standard minimum $10.50 per hour wage rate and rely upon tips to help feed their families. Those usually do a cracker of a job and I don't mind giving a good tip to them for services rendered. It's the lazy high-school drop-outs I am not inclined to tip heavily - unless VERY pretty and have big boobs.