And also so that customers can dangle a tip in front of an underpaid, overworked employee, only to snatch it away if they don't smile or go to church or insert some arbitrary reason here. It's both consumers and employers who keep the tipping culture and its toxicity alive.

I mean the one time I was in the US having breakfast or lunch at some random place. They had at least five staff milling around for twenty-five customers, probably more (staff I mean). You don't need to have two teens frantically going around with pitchers of water, just plop one down on the table and pay the remaining employees a good wage.

A good wage is not minimum wage either. Minimum wage is a "what is the least I can legally pay this employee", while as an employer your mindset should be "how much is this employee worth and how can I make them feel appreciated"

Exactly. We aren't necessarily pushing the payroll onto the customer, we're discounting the cost of a dish at the expense of the server. And to the parent's post, that's an arbitrary decision that sometimes works out and sometimes doesn't for the person making half of minimum wage.

The tipping culture in Spain seems to account for this acceptably well. 1-2€ left on the table for a staff member who poured you a couple of drinks seems to be generally well received. Of course, they know a table of American tourists is likely to be a gold mine so far as tips are concerned.

In the UK tipping is very hit or miss. Especially now that cash payments are becoming rare. I've noticed that food delivery drivers will be half way down the street by the time I open the door these days. They obviously don't expect anything. If there is a service charge on the bill I typically don't leave anything in particular, and I'd prefer it this way.

> In the UK tipping is very hit or miss.

Often there's an 'optional' service charge on bills now (well, before) which we'll always begrudgingly pay. Only once have we asked them to remove it.

Same. One time we were out at a restaurant and having all had full meals a couple of us were getting some extras like milkshakes when the Waitress came over to tell us in no uncertain terms that she needed the table back.

This is a very good insight, however the way you say it comes across like you seem to like it or are OK with it. Sarcasm does not come across. We should point out this really is not OK and is not a desirable by anyone except the ownership class.