I think that sums up most of the UK attitudes, Smokey.

No one is suggesting that anyone should feel they ought to refuse a tip from a generous American tourist, but most of use would hate to see tips being used to keep wages/fees artificially low, or for tipping to be the only way of ensuring good service or getting a favour done (e.g. playing a tune as a request). The general feeling here seems to be that we do not want tipping to be any more widespread in our culture than it is already, at least in relation to folk music and its practitioners.

Marje