I derive the satisfaction of knowing that I rubbed their faces in their socialism. But also here in the states, waitstaff share their tips not just amongst themselves but among busboys and others, too.
My problem with them is this. I’ve been in Italy and heard Americans order Coca Cola with their meals. And I’ve heard the scorn heaped on them by Italians at the next table for not ordering wine without ever considering that perhaps the person is an alcoholic. I despise the fascism that makes them think they know what’s best for everyone or that everyone should follow the food rules. It has to be beer with pizza. A capuccino should never be had past 10 a.m. Who the dickens made up these rules? I don’t drink coffee because the taste never delivers what the smell promises. That is especially true of that mud in a cup popularly known as espresso. But I also don’t generally eat dessert, so if I want coffee, diluted with milk, sweetened with sugar and topped with foam, let me have it. And don’t let me hear you say, “Ma che scemenza degli americani. Non sanno proprio a mangiare altro che dei amburgher e burro di arrachidi.”
Returning to my premises, when they take that job (and in those socialist economies, it’s actually a career) they know that they’re going to have the tip shared regardless of the quality of service. I don’t care to attempt to change their system at a table.
Publius, if you’re following this thread, my most sincere apologies for allowing it to have devolved.
On the one hand, it's your money and you can do anything you want to with it, so from that point of view it's covered. Extra money for extra service I should think perfectly permissible, value for value received, as long as it really is considered extra - that's the gratuitous part of "gratuity," after all.
But in the real world of present-day America it isn't usually gratuitous at all. Wait staff are paid less well than they otherwise might be because of that. "Wages, tips, and other compensation" is what goes on the old 1040. I think in an idealized Randian world wait staff are properly compensated for their jobs per se and tips really are gratuitous. In that sense the current system is corrupt, at least from Rand's point of view. Value for value received, no cheating, and where a gratuity is no longer gratuitous and the wait staff suffer otherwise, it's cheating.
Not much evidence to back that speculation up, however. It isn't apparent that Dagny tipped Akston at his diner for the best "hamburger sandwich" she'd ever eaten. In chapter 10: She rose, paid her bill, and said, "Thank you, Dr. Akston." In fact, she even accepted one of those magic cigarettes with the dollar sign on it from him.
Dang skinflint, drug-addicted capitalist... ;-)
Hey, it’s as good as a BTTT.