Hope you enjoyed your stay.

Aussies don't like tipping that much, not beacuse we're cheap, but beacause of a streak of bloody-minded egalitarianism. We have traditionally had a much stronger trade union movement than in the US. Most Aussies - myself included - feel strongly that your boss should pay an adequate wage to begin with, and that relying on tips is undignified and would encourage a sycophantic style of service (very much against the national character).

Unfortunately, tipping has become more common (I suspect laregly as a result of American influence). We love Americans - but PLEASE, PLEASE, leave tipping habits at home. This is an example of how people can go to other countries and almost cause offence without realising it - I've heard Aussies can do the same in the US by asking for the "toilet" instead of the bathroom, and by swearing too much (another national trait).