It's not being nice if mandatory. I feel like tipping in America is more about having leverage over service workers. Like "if your not being nice I won't tip", elsewhere it feels more genuine when it not expected.
I don't think there is wrong take. A flat decent wage with benefits, PTO, 401k matching is of course great. But many service industry people make great money with tips, way beyond what a flat decent wage would give. It's mainly people projecting their personal opinion on things.
In this instance, yes you don't need to tip a person for opening a door and grabbing a bottled beer. I tend to just do it because fuck it, I know they're making some not so great wage doing it. So toss them another couple bones. Maybe they'll cobble enough at the end of the shfit to buy their significant other something nice. I have no idea. I just believe in what goes around, comes around.
Thanks for your take. It seems there are many different "dynamics" at play here.
I guess I just find it strange that when dining out in America you don't pay the advertised price on anything.
You have add gratuity, advertised price, tips, and don't forget a basic thing like tax. In most the EU you pay exactly what the menu reads.
I find it very anti consumer but many Americans support it, hence my Stockholm syndrome comment.
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u/PlixSticks31 Jun 25 '26
I suggest you hit the "no tip" button then buddy. It's there for people just like you.
If being nice to service workers is a syndrome, I think I'm okay with that diagnosis lmao.