Oh, tipping.

Not to be confused with cow tipping, actual money tipping is a hot topic here in Costa Rica, because so much of the country's economy is based on tourism. (And yes, there is an actual college degree.)

It's also confusing because—surprise!—there's a 10% service tax added to all restaurant tabs by law. So it's like, wait, is the tip already included? Or should I leave more? Orrrrr should I just rob a bank and be done with it?

So lemme tell you what I do, darling human who is on their way to Costa Rica and is likely super excited. As an American, tipping is in m' bonnneeeesssssss. BONES, I tell you. It's as normal and natural to me as shampooing my hair. Americans don't resent tipping, and we expect to tip, so it actually feels really rude NOT to. This is probably why my personal policy is this: look at the 10% they added as a service fee. Then give them that same amount in tip. Altogether, that makes 20% total, and I get to leave something and not feel like a total tight-ass jerk.

Beyond not wanting to seem rude, however, I also do this because I realize that I am incredibly privileged and I want to. I earn in U.S. dollars, despite living here part-time. I'm fortunate to have a cool, lucrative career as a writer. And tipping often and well is one of the ways that I give back. I'm not out there saving the whales, or donating to people I'll never meet: I'm here locally, helping the people I do know. The ones who did a great job sweating their ass off to serve my beer cold and my food hot. It makes me feel good to be in a position to make someone's day a little bit better—and maybe their life a little easier, too.

So that's my personal policy. Your policy might be different. The answer to, "Do I have to tip?" is no. In fact, most Costa Ricans know that Europeans won't. (Deep down they're bummed by this—I have seen grown women housemaids cry after guests have left.) But should you? I think it's nice—even if it's not another 10%. One thing that can be said about this country? The hospitality is like no where else. As someone who has traveled the globe and is often surprised at the incredibly poor service found in some cosmopolitan, modern cities—Amsterdam, I'm looking at you—Costa Ricans are really getting this right. They're always there with a smile, a helping hand, and a genuine desire to do their job well.

And even if you are a tourist? You'll never feel like one. And that, in and of itself, is worth gold.