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Comment by Kaibeezy | Hacker News Reader

I’m uncomfortable with tipping zero, knowing how servers are paid in the US. But it also seems wrong to tie the tip to the price, when the work is comparable.

I’m going to think about an alternative minimum tip, maybe something like:

  - $1 per item for a takeout counter
  - $5 per person at sit down service
  - $10 for an average delivery

If everyone did that, a couple of things would happen:

  - servers would have to push for higher pay
  - restaurants and bars would raise their prices

The advantage is this would be predictable and understandable for everyone. In Europe and elsewhere, reasonable pay is assumed, and you tip rarely for exceptional service. That’s really where things need to go.

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I like the way it is in Europe. Another good thing, at least in Germany, is that the menu prices already include taxes so I know exactly how much I am going to pay for the meal. I think this is true for all the European countries.

I have heard people saying that without tips we would get crappy service. In my experience, tipping is pervasive to this extent only in the US and I don't see any difference in service quality on average. In fact, compared to some countries like Thailand, US service might be considered terrible!

> I have heard people saying that without tips we would get crappy service.

I don't think the math supports this either.

If you can do a 50% as good job and work two tables; even if tips decrease by 50% it's technically good for business as 2 meals were served with one employee. Obviously if people are debating between 10% for poor service and 15% for great service then the employee comes out ahead as well.

Tipping originally existed because it was a way for black americans to work without being paid a wage.

Where I live, the minimum wage for servers is ~$35,000 and goes up every year, which is a better wage than in much of Europe. It has done nothing to dissuade tipping on top of that, which can often double their income.

I like to tip based on the local minumum wage (or on the higher end if the service was exceptional, my own wage) and how long I have sat at the table for.

So if the minimum wage was $10/hour and I have sat at the table for 45 minutes, then the tip is $7.50. I don't feel i should be paying the servers wages directly, but at least this seems like a fair rate to me for doing the portion of that hours work.

I mean, everyone knows that tipping culture in the US has become unhealthy (it probably always was). Many many people would prefer to end it.

The only way tipping is going to end, is if people stop doing it. There's not going to be some higher authority who one day says "OK now it's socially acceptable and no one's going to be upset if you stop, the world will get better, no friction required."

You have to stop, tell the business why you're stopping, and tell other people to stop.

We're all uncomfortable, but including the wait staff. It will never change unless someone does.

If the only thing you can do is simply stiff the waiter unfortunate enough to be working your table today maybe the change isn't yours to make.

I 100% agree that simply not tipping, and not doing additional avenues of change (such as intentionally patronizing restaurants which are no-tip / living wage), then really the root might actually be greed/selfishness.

You know servers in California are paid better than servers in France?

Does that help you feel more comfortable?

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