This is an interesting topic. I´m in Madrid now and still feeling guilty about not leaving a ´real´ tip (just the change) when I eat out. My Spanish friends assure me this is the norm, so when in Rome...

However, after traveling in Spain I look at tips from a different angle now. My question- do you think servers/wait staff would be more professional/friendlier/nice (whatever word you use) if they relied on receiving ´real´ tips from customers ala USA style?

After a few weeks in Madrid (all over) I think service here is definitely not as courteous as countries were tipping 15-20% is the norm. In fact, most of it has been rude and offhand even when I´ve taken extra steps to be super super polite.

I wonder if its the culture or the tipping system. (when I say culture, I don´t mean any offense to Spain, I´m just remembering several of my Spanish friends saying Americans smile too much and are too friendly)