Tipping in the service industry

[CapnAwesome]

I don't use many services that expect tipping since I don't go out that much... the only thing I can think of is occasionally going to restaurants. I pay, or chip in for, the tip, but tbh I don't really understand it; I don't really consider that in my mind as tipping, at least not what I'd consider the spirit of tipping, but just a strange custom; I think of tipping as something you do when you've been impressed by an individual's service... something that comes out of choice rather than obligation, as a expression of gratitude to an individual, and based on individual merits. Like sometimes I'm particularly impressed by the service/manner of a bartender in a pub and ask if I can tip them, individually. But if it's just the custom that a certain percentage of the bill is essentially obligated to be paid, regardless of service quality and irrespective of individuals, then although I'll do it since it is the custom, it ceases to be what I see as the essence of tipping, and something else entirely.

Well you normally get pretty good service in America. If you get bad service you don't have to tip.

---

In this case, the server should get way more than the $15 an hour the employee gives.

What's not generally known is that the waiter has to tip out the busboys and cooks and other employees who do not get tips themselves.

Again, what is written into the law is a mechanism so that restaurant owners are exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act so they can make more money and force the customers to subsidize their workers.

Yeah, but if you aren't tipping, the prices are just going to go up an equal amount to make up the difference. Actually a tipping system is better. You normally can make well over 15$ an hour and it rewards good service.

---

I seem to recall a story about a restaurant (in Seattle?  maybe?) that raised their employees' pay to $15/hour, raised their prices, and then put signs out telling customers that tipping was banned.

I wonder if I can find it?

That's more or less how they do it in Europe and Australia. I'd much rather get tips than a flat 15$ an hour. Esspecially in Seattle.