Maybe I'm a cold hearted bastard but I haven't found myself struggling with this. I just simply don't tip if it's not delivery or dine-in. Otherwise, I've tried to adjust my tipping sensibility for inflation when the tip is not percentage based. And I've just essentially stopped using things like Doordash where there's already like $7 or $8 tacked onto the bill even before tip.
I've come to share this sentiment as well. I used to be a generous tipper -- leaving 20% on a takeout order and the like, but as I've come to find some of the biggest resistance to getting rid of tipping is from the tipped workers themselves. And while I do get it, they can make significantly more than non-tipped minimum wage, I'm pretty tired of being expected to directly pay their wages. My sympathy for their situation does not extend to being punished for having it.
While I still tip for services, I do think that most dine-in restaurants do not deserve tips anymore.
Cool, the staff brought me water, food, and a bill. Hell, I can walk to kitchen window it get it myself with less hassle.
Also, why is the waiter/waitress' payment based on what I order when the waiter/waitress would do the same amount of work regardless?
If I go to a restaurant and order a $20 hamburger and tip 20%, for example, the waiter/waitress would earn $4.00. But if I order the expensive $100 steak at the same restaurant, his or her payment would be $20.00. The waiter/waitress did not 5x more work and I guarantee the service I will be provided will not be 5x better either. In my experiences, most tips go to the waiters/waitresses and not the kitchen staff. I have less of a problem with percentage based tips if tips are pooled together amongst all staff.
I have a friend that owns a barbershop. He charges different prices for different haircuts. Something simple like a buzzcut is cheaper than a haircut for an individual with longer hair. It's simple -- a buzzcut requires less work and less time. A percentage based tip on such services makes perfect sense to me.
> Hell, I can walk to kitchen window it get it myself with less hassle.
But would you be at that particular restaurant at that moment if that's how they do business? A lot of restaurants self-service from the counter, no waitresses at all, so obviously it can work and most people find it acceptable at least some of the time. Fast food restaurants are an obvious example, but lots of independent lunch-oriented restaurants with great food operate in the same way.
So why do waitresses still exist at all? I think it's because there's still consumer demand for that sort of dining experience. And if that's what you want, shouldn't you be willing to pay for it? Maybe you pay for it with tips or maybe through higher prices on the menu, but either way it is human labor that needs to be paid for by the paying customers one way or the other.
> But would you be at that particular restaurant at that moment if that's how they do business?
I am not sure I understand what you as asking. I would voluntarily go to a restaurant that offers service like this because I do go to restaurants like this rather frequently. These are not fast food restaurants either, but local businesses in my city. Greek restaurants, Mexican restaurants, Southern BBQ restaurants, etc.. I honestly prefer it.
I still tip at those restaurants because I do not mind supporting local businesses I enjoy. The difference is I do it out of choice and not out of socially pressured obligation. Most of the places I frequent share tips amongst all their staff as well.
> So why do waitresses still exist at all?*
Antiquity would be my best guess. Clearly, we do not need them from a technological standpoint if I can just tap a tablet touchscreen and have my order.
> I think it's because there's still consumer demand for that sort of dining experience. And if that's what you want, shouldn't you be willing to pay for it?
I go to restaurants for the food. I do not choose to go because of the experience of being waited on. I've never seen a high class restaurant without waiting staff, so I do agree with your point that there is some "experience" aspect, at least for some. But I think it's more for an image than practicality.
> Maybe you pay for it with tips or maybe through higher prices on the menu
Maybe you pay for it with tips AND maybe through higher prices on the menu.
People need to earn a living, and I get that. It's just odd that the US and Canada are one of the only countries with this culture.
I've yet to see a comment any time this topic is discussed where someone from Europe, Asia, or Africa chimes in saying something like, "I wish we had tipping culture in our country." It's always quite the opposite.
> And I've just essentially stopped using things like Doordash where there's already like $7 or $8 tacked onto the bill even before tip.
They lure you in with "25% off first 5 orders" or "March Madness special" but offset that with ridiculous service charges. Years ago when delivery services were in their infancy and trying to grow, their discounts were awesome. Now that they are established, most of their discounts aren't discounts at all. Pity.
I keep getting Uber Eats emails with offers for $20 food free. So I go to the website, order about $15 of food, Uber still wants to collect $25 from me for all the various fees and charges, but oh, they don't deliver to my area and the offer is only for delivery. Oh well, I guess I won't be spending an additional $10 more than normal to get my food "free" today.
One of the funniest experiences we had visiting Canada was going for a couple of drinks after dinner. My partner was paying the waitress, she happened to have the exact change and counted it out only to be told in no uncertain terms that tipping was expected.
In the UK I don't think I've ever tipped in a bar, except perhaps with bar staff we got to know well and it was usually in the form of drinks after their shift.
