Most importantly, know the local customs about tipping before you travel. That said...

On Jamaica, tipping IS readily accepted, and it is very appreciated when you apply the same rules there that you would in the States.

I once read that there were at one time enough experienced JUTA BIG bus drivers that each driver only drew a couple of full fares in a year. I find that difficult to believe, myself, but those few fares, with tips from each single, couple or family, went a LONG way to paying to paying for food and housing, but nobody was getting rich on it either. Today, you don't see those big buses as much; the smaller LP fueled buses seem to be the vehicle of choice.... LOTS of them.

Bar tenders, wait staff and house keepers are probably the hardest workers on the island, day in and day out. We always try to keep that in mind; its going to be a challenge for us to get out of the AI mode when we beach it in April.