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> It's a privilege to have someone waiting on me, and I want them to know I appreciate it.

It’s only a privilege in the same way that any other commercial transaction is. You’re already paying them for a service. Do you care whether the guys operating your local power plant know that you appreciate your electricity?

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Sure, I hope everyone is able to feel appreciated for the work they're doing, it's a very human desire.

Hopefully your are on your way to tip the power plant workers. Make sure to tip security and the cleaners on your way in as well.

Its very telling when this is the kind of equivalence someone tries to make about service industry workers.

The act of physically SERVING someone and answering to their every whim is a unique role in society. If you lack the empathy to comprehend that role, then that's on you.

Tipping is not equivalent to empathy. You show empathy by being polite and thanking the person. And in a properly functioning country you can know that the staff are properly paid at least a minimum wage which is sufficient to live properly.

No one said tipping was equivalent to empathy... I said your inability to comprehend the difference between a service industry position and a "power plant worker" displayed a lack of empathy and understanding.

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