Why do you think $5 tips are rare? 20% rounded up to the nearest dollar is my usual practice, and I don’t think of myself as someone who throws money around.
I love seeing college kids tip 25% at food trucks with their clover iPad or square terminal. First of all, there is no waiter or service, and secondly, the options presented are 18%, 20%, and 25% or something equally stupid. I'm always fascinated that these kids with no income have no problem hitting the 25% button...for nothing.
It's like the studies that show that poor people give a greater share of their income to charity.
> ...for nothing.
...for to pay someone who is working for them. The indirection of wage labor isn't enough of an excuse for me to not attempt to make sure the person who is working for me is compensated to my standard.