Tipping in the service industry

[vulcanlogician]

Tipping is inherently abusive - it allows for unfair behavior in a commission, solely subject to whim. It easily breeds in a customer unreasonable entitled behavior that must be catered to. It allows someone who is having a bad day to take it out on the staff. Ultimately it’s a strong conduit for negative pushback on only one person by harming their income. That’s pretty low.

I hear you there. It could be noted that even hourly-wage employees in the service industry are vulnerable to such abuse. But (as you point out) tipping seems to somehow further justify such behavior.

I like to keep in mind that (even when I get subpar service) it is usually the right thing to do to leave an adequate tip. After all, perhaps the reason my service suffered was because some asshole saw fit to take his frustrations out on the human being who served us both, and I got left with the exhausted aftermath. 

If the service is inexcusably shitty, I'll leave only $1-2 (or less). Otherwise, my minimum starts at 20% and goes up from there.