[highwind]

It's a privilege to have any service done for you, not just waiting tables.

You are free to give them extra money if you feel that service received exceeds the price that you paid for but it shouldn't be mandatory.

Customer should pay for products and services that's agreed upon. Employer should pay their employees to ensure the quality of the said products and services. There's no reason why a quality of service should be variable based on how generous I feel.

[oldstrangers]

In the places where I am immediately able to tip, I do. Coffee shops, bars, salons, tattoo artists, valets, servers, furniture movers, you name it, I've tipped them.

I think the difference is that I get a tinge of embarassment having anyone wait on me. There's a weird power imbalance I don't like. Tipping helps offset that imbalance and lets them know I appreciate their service.