How they tried to teach Japan to tip (6 photos)

A very funny fact, did you know that in 2021, one Association for the Promotion of Tipping launched the "Tipping Project" to introduce American tipping practices into Japanese culture.





Why? To increase world entropy, probably. Otherwise, why would they need this pure evil?

The project was started by YouTube blogger Yoshihito Kamogashira in Japan. He believed that the American practice of tipping would help increase the self-esteem and happiness of Japanese service workers, who were seriously affected by Covid. Well, it will be easier for companies to recruit staff for profitable positions.



But in Japan, you can leave a few kopecks in a temple, for example. Tip Buddha!

Everyone knows that Japan is a country with zero tips. Although sometimes they still reward financially for services, usually geishas or workers of some old ryokan hotels. But this is done after a long standing in a red envelope. Almost a ceremony.

But for ordinary people, all prices and services are already included in the cost of the dish, and giving money on top is simply indecent. This is something that all countries should learn from, rather than encouraging the vicious practice of underpaying waiters and humiliatingly expecting a "penny" for the work done.





I like the no-tipping system, it helps me relax more

But the Association for the Promotion of Tipping decided to go against the centuries-old norms and popularize the practice of tipping.

How was it all done?

The Tipping Project sold paper receipts called "tip tickets". They indicated the name of the person giving the tip, as well as the name of the recipient (the worker) and the tip amount. It was as if they were not giving money in hand, but a bill of exchange. Extremely strange.



(place for a dubious joke!)

Around the same time, Japanese taxi drivers gave passengers the opportunity to add tips. The project was started by Japanese taxi operator Sanwa Kotsu in collaboration with digital tipping company Respo.

Before the Tipping Project, the only form of encouragement for taxi drivers in Japan was the origami tip. When service workers were given origami figures made from chopstick wrappers as tips.



A very talented taxi driver brags about his tips. Just kidding.

It seems like a sign of attention, you tried, you saved, but there is no financial background. Quite a nice tradition, you can also put it on your dashboard to show everyone else how much you are appreciated.

Nobody liked it

A blogger posted videos of himself tipping workers. And he did not receive any positive feedback. Although he was written about on very large resources and even abroad in the Financial Times magazine.



In contrast to the no-tip system, Japanese host clubs rip off customers like crap

- If you suggest giving a 20% tip on the order, let the establishment first lower all prices by 20%!

You can't fool the Japanese with chaff. Their culture does not accept such abrupt aggressive implementations. So, without retraining anyone, but having spent a lot of money on top of the orders, the project failed and was closed in the first half of 2023.