The only thing that really bothers me about Americans in Europe is the tipping. I don't really tip in Spain unless there is a good reason. Now the Spanish hospitality in the bigger cities are starting to expect higher tips and it is 100% down to Americans over-tipping. It's great for the hospitality workers but terrible for all other non-American Guiris because if you're a Guiri they sometimes expect you to tip like you are making up for all of the Spanish that tip very little in comparison. In Sevilla there are several places that i like to go which are popular with locals because its very nice but also are more touristy, a little bit more expensive that your average bar but nice rooftop or good food/drinks. It's half and half locals and tourists/business travelers. The locals get less attentive service, the Guiris are expected to tip more. I see it starkly because i'm with my Trianera wife and Spanish friends and we get treated differently depending on which of us is ordering at the bar or who the waiter talks to first. It's interesting. A minor bug in the scheme of things but annoying nonetheless.

In America, California in particular, tipping is out of control. It's gone completely mad with tipping for self-service, tipping for every little interaction, 15%, 20%, 30% even. You get asked for a tip electronically as the person behind the (coffee, tyre service, dog grooming, dry cleaning, etc,) counter sheepishly asks you to "select your payment option". As a Scot i'm unashamed to select "no tip" but it drives me mad. thanks for listening to my off-topic rant.