Tipping used to be based on amount of work and "service". A great waitress who visits your table many times, checks in when appropriate and is attentive should get 25%. She worked hard and provided great service. They have these tip credit card machines at a local concert venue. You order a beer, which is at a 500% markup, they reach behind and grab it our of a standup cooler and hand it to you, they turn the machine so you can swipe and enter your tip, it's either 0% or 5% - no work and no exemplary service
TIP was “to insure prompt service”
Thank goodness public utilities don’t allow tipping. They are as responsive as gov’t agencies. Private industry isn’t far behind. Just got off the phone with Bradford White. The guy I got on the phone was an apologist for his co-worker’s rotten customer service! Have had a ticket in since 12/31/24...crickets. Time to write the CEO again. /rant.