Tipping is a shit custom...

This statement coming from someone who has worked the service industry in U.S. for 20 years where your very livelihood is reliant on tips.

I read in an article called "The Culture of Tipping Around the World" by Tom Thumb that:


It’s the residue of ancient class distinctions when one kind of profession was considered inferior to another and the difference had to be compensated by a financial gift. Hence why when the anarchists took control of Barcelona in the early 30’s they banned tipping, as can be read in George Orwell’s Homage to Catalonia.

At other times it’s an act of pity, a social obligation or even a kind of disguised bribe to make sure you get reasonable service. Here’s a few extra coins to make sure you don’t spit in my soup..


Unfortunately,,, the real blame in modern times (at least here in the U.S.A) lies upon the U.S. Government, as they are the ones who allow employers to pay less than minimum wages legally,, to certain jobs like waiting tables or delivery.

If the government is going to allow this B.S. "2nd class worker", then of course the employers will take advantage of that. If the government would simply say,, NOBODY is allowed less than minimum wage,, then it would open the door for ridding us of tipping.

Besides the fact that tipping leaves workers in a constant state of limbo(never knowing how much they will make in any given week), there are other major issues which make it an undesirable form of payment. You are at the mercy of people's whims, your wages always suffer during economic down turns, the same job can pay 10 fold less or more depending on season and location.

And then there are travelers who don't bother to learn (or simply are arrogant) about the custom of tipping. I cannot count how many Travelers to the U.S. say "I don't tip, except for exceptional service". Well that's all well and good in their country,, but seriously. What kind of asshole do you have to be to make your waitress serve you for an hour and then not pay her anything at all. Guess what ... she makes just over $2/hr ... that doesn't pay her taxes,,, Believe me,, she is not getting rich from her tips. What right do you have to make her work for free, just because you have some issue with tipping. Make your stand in your own country but not here. You cannot punish hard working individuals because you have an issue with an entire culture's custom.

It's no different than any other custom. You don't go to Saudi Arabia and run around wearing shorts because "I do it at home"... You have to work within the customs of where you are visiting.

Anyway,, I digress.. I really wish tipping could simply be eliminated. It would make life easier on the consumer and the workers. Sadly it's really in the hands of the U.S. government,, and you can bet they won't do a thing about it.

What do you think?