May you all have peace!
I'm still with Sammieswife... and Finally-Free... 'til the wheels fall off on this one. Sorry, Awsnap, but what you posted is EXACTLY why I don't like: being told I HAVE to tip anybody anything... FOR anything. Common decency says that when I receive minimal service, I should show my appreciation to my server... and leave him/her a tip. But that is not what I was speaking of AT ALL.
I am speaking of those instances where the service is NOT great, but I am still expected to tip something... or the tip is "included" which takes away my choice (why not just quote me a price, tip inclusive, without telling me that part was a tip; I mean, what's the difference?)... or the wait help is paid so low they are dependent on MY tips to make a living (the fact that I even patronized the establishment should be sufficient indication of my support). Should a server give me better service because I am a better tipper? Seriously??!! The server should do his/her JOB... regardless of what I tip. Just like ANYONE should do their job... because... IT'S THEIR JOB.
It is a scam... no matter what folks think. It is. It is deceitful, even if it is "customary." It's a deceitful custom.
My final say, however, is that one should NOT do a job one does not like doing. Yes, yes, I know... very many people have to do jobs they don't like in order to make ends meet. Okay. But if that is one's lot, one should NOT take it out on the customer... or expect the customer to "pay" for one's... or one's employer's... deficiency. One should either (1) find a better job, (2) find a better employer, or (2) change one's line of work (but do the job they're paid to do in the meantime).
There are a plethora of folks out there who also don't like their jobs... and don't receive tips for them either. We complain about the "service" (or lack thereof) that we received from all sorts of industries. MOST of them, however, are not tipped for their work. Yet, although we DO tip in various industries, such is NOT a guarantee of good service. A GOOD wait person is going to give you GOOD service... REGARDLESS of what you tip... or even whether you tip... because they are CONSCIENTIOUS workers. AwSnap's last comment attests to that. Chiding poor tippers is like calling householders who don't want your magazines "goats." It's... indecent.
For the comment regarding restaurants being the fastest failing business... I have to say, yes, but then surely it's upon the one taking on such a venture to count the cost, yes? Perhaps it's the lure of LOW WAGES TO EMPLOYEES that give such entrepreneurs the hutzpah to undertake such a venture at all. Again, why not simply include the tip rate in the actual meal cost... and stop calling it something that's in addition? Because... everyone (owner and staff)... would have to pay taxes on ALL of the "tip."
C'mon, folks... it is what it is: a way "legitimate" way to cheat on taxes.
Now, I'm not knocking that in and of itself; I am knocking that many of those very same people... whose livelihoods depend on tips... who are the a the head of the line of those who think OTHER people who cheat on their taxes are the spawn of Satan. Indeed, I've heard 'em say close to that. And so, I'm just saying...
Bottom line: LET me tip... because I really am a generous soul and do tip well. However, don't MAKE me... and/or tryp to make me feel bad or call me "cheap," etc., if I don't or don't to the extent YOU think I should. Because then you're infringing on MY... FREEDOM... to CHOOSE... while YOU'RE participating in deceptive practices. And I really don't like THAT... at all
So, okay, I've had my say, so movin' on...
A slave of Christ,
SA