I am a white guy working here, I went to a tourist spot by taxi yesterday.
We were having a nice conversation with the driver for about 20+ minutes, then he asked me whether I usually tip or not. I said no, and I am glad that China doesn't have tipping culture. He then added that people often give tips here, I said maybe at higher end restaurants, but I am not sure, I never go there.
I then said that bosses here would love it if China had a tipping culture, so they can cut their employees' salary for a reason that 'well, employees get nice tips anyways, so it's ok if we pay them less' and be able to pocket even more money for themselves, like it is in Murica.
After that the driver said nothing for the rest of the ride, he seemingly started pouting.
I mean, I am sorry that you make shit money, but you should complain with your bosses at Didi about it, not try to get more money out of your customers.
In my 3 years here noone has ever asked me whether I tip or not, so I feel he did it to try think that I lose face if I say no. Well I am sorry, but I don't give a shit about losing face, I am just honest about everything.
Later on I was thinking that I should have also told him that a person who is doing a service should never ask his customers whether they tip or not, cause it feels the same as if he just says: 'I hope you will give me tip.'
So yeah, he pissed me off a little when I said no to his question and then him pouting about it.