[vosper]

Except that you're not "literally taking money out of their pocket for that day" - that would imply that the money was rightfully theirs, and that you've essentially stolen it from them by not tipping. That's not how tipping works - it's the customers money, given at their discretion. There's a strong sense of obligation felt by most people, but it is ultimately optional.

[nucleardog]

Most places require the wait staff to tip out the kitchen a percent of their sales at the end of the shift to the tune of 2-5%.

If you don't tip then you are actually actually taking money out of their pocket since they're now going to have to cover your 2-5% tip to the kitchen out of their own, rightfully earned, money.

[jack-r-abbit]

That is illegal. Google it. A group of tipped employees (ie. servers and bartenders) may pool tips. But it is illegal to force them to include non-tipped employees (ie cooks, dishwashers, etc) in the pool. Servers may tip the cooks, etc themselves if they want. But they can't be required to.

[nucleardog]

Err, not in my province. Not only is it entirely legal, it's common and generally accepted practice.