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by istorical 3281 days ago
Something I've always questioned is why certain jobs in the United States are expected to be tipped but others aren't:

Why does a bartender at a bar that isn't very busy who simply pours me a draft beer out of a tap deserve a dollar when a guy making burritos at Chipotle during the lunch rush who can't take a break for 3 hours straight doesn't get any tips? I've had bartenders hand me a can of beer for 2 dollars, I come back 20 minutes later and ask for another and they say "ok but I'm going to charge you extra because you didn't tip".

If I ever did that when I worked at any fast food job I've ever had I would have been fired.

Either have a tipping culture or don't, but don't have social punishments for skipping tipping on bartenders or restaurant waiters but then don't tip me EVER when I work a different minimum wage job that can be just as hectic.

Many bartenders and waiters take the approach of tipping constantly at other low paying service jobs, which is very admirable.

But others will berate you if you mention that you don't tip for every drink at a bar while they themselves see no hypocrisy or problem that they aren't tipping low paid workers in other industries.

Before someone mentions that some of those tipping jobs can have pay that's less than minimum wage - remember that if tips don't make up the difference then the employer is legally required to pay the minimum wage for that shift.

3 comments

This inconsistency and the overall social cognitive load on customers to recognize which things 'deserve' tips and which ones don't is one of the top reasons I'm anti-tip-culture. Just raise your damn list prices, pay better wages, and tell your patrons no need to tip (but it can still be appreciated if they do, just don't pressure them into it).
> employer is legally required to pay the minimum wage for that shift.

Right because if you're getting paid $2/hr + tips and make less than min wage because you didn't get tipped, you sure have the means to file a lawsuit.

If you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to eat out.

> If you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to eat out.

Sure, if you only go to places where it is proper to tip, but there are plenty of places to eat out where NOT tipping is appropriate.

I believe that tipping should be based on the level of service provided, not on the financial status/need of either the provider or the consumer. If I'm getting takeout, I rarely tip more than a dollar. If it's a place where I bus my own table and pickup my food at the counter, I don't tip at all. On numerous occasions where I felt I got wonderful service, I've tipped $20 on a 10 dollar meal. Generally, I'll tip 15% - 20% based on service level.

This is why I take a flask to the bar. Cheaper.