The Tipping System Is Immoral (Leave 30%)

New York Times ^ | 10/24/2019 | David Brooks

[Responsibility2nd]

For most of my life I’ve been glad that America is a society that relies heavily on tipping. First, tipping allows us to reward excellent service. Second, in a world of rising economic inequality, a 30 to 50 percent tip is a small but direct way to redistribute money to those who are working hard to earn a living.

Moreover, tipping nurtures humane relationships. It encourages servers to try to establish social connection through direct eye contact and a display of warmth. Finally, most of the servers I’ve known like the tipping system. They’ve believed that by doing their job well they could earn far more than they could through a flat wage. That’s certainly what I thought as a bartender.

So over all, I’ve taken it as good news that tipping culture seems to be spreading to every cashier’s counter in the land.

[Concentrate]

Oh. I meant 15% was normal.

[x]

Of course it's immoral.

Talk with a French accent and leave nothing.

[Yardstick]

Yep, unless you’ve waited tables it’s easy to misjudge how much work it is. Waiting tables in college was probably the most intense job I’ve had. You’re in constant motion. And like you say, lots of problem solving — mostly figuring out how to interleave your activities for max efficiency. By default I tip 25% nowadays and rarely less than 20%. I also tip hotel staff and taxi drivers well. Call me nuts but I find it gratifying to leave a good tip.