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Comment by cmdshiftf4 | Hacker News Reader

Americans also use tipping as a status signal, despite it being socially grotesque.

Even here on HN we'll regularly witness people proudly proclaiming that they've tipped 50% or more for "good" service. Not content with showing off their status to whoever had the poor fortune to be dining with them, and the waiter/waitress that served the group, they also relish in the opportunity of soaking randoms online in their lavishness post-factum.

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The amazing thing I’ve seen is tipping makes people feel better just like charity makes them feel better. The little aspect of having the power to treat someone with your funds is a nice ego boost.

Paying more in taxes or increasing the minimum wage doesn’t have the same effect, even though it would result in a more egalitarian society. The power to select who received the benefit from you is important.

Is there something wrong with tipping 50%? I didn’t realize my actions could be considered “socially grotesque”. Hospitality staff absolutely don’t mind extra money - I know from experience.

If you have the money to give away, perhaps use it more efficiently and give it to charity.

Deliberately overpaying is a bad thing when you're either feeding a company or gifting a stranger, neither of which need the money anywhere near as much.

People don't need to spend their money on the most optimal thing that benefits society. They can spend their money however they want. If they want to give it to a kind stranger who made their day better, who are you to tell them not to. I've had some awesome servers who have genuinely made me happier when I need it, screw it, I'll give them money to say thank you.

That's what the term "virtue signaling" is for. (or one of the things)

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