I think we've been guilt tripped enough into giving people tips unnecessarily, and it's time to stop tipping people who give you abominable service.

Simple points that are easy to remember can help reduce the uncertainty surrounding workplace gift giving,

It's very important to consider your budget, but if you can give, it's unacceptable to shirk tips to people who have provided you with service all year,

You have to handle it politely, ... Don't be rude.

After four years in New York, this young woman still finds it offensive when someone flashes the 'OK' sign. She knows that it means 'OK' here, but it is still disconcerting to her -- she is translating body language using her understanding of what that particular gesture means.

Years ago, I had a wonderful relationship with the doorman in my building, who would always stop and talk to me after I came in from the opera. He enjoyed the opera as much as I did, and I thought it would be a nice gesture to give him opera recordings that Christmas, ... When I gave them to him, he looked completely confused -- and our relationship was never the same afterward.