Should Restaurants Do Away With Tipping?

The debate over whether or not restaurants should do away with tipping is a complex one. Here are some arguments for and against the practice:

Arguments for getting rid of tipping:

Tipping can be unfair: Tipping is often based on the customer's subjective perception of service, rather than the actual quality of service provided. This can lead to uneven pay for servers and other restaurant staff.
Tipping can perpetuate discrimination: Some studies have shown that servers who are perceived as more attractive or friendly receive larger tips, regardless of their actual service.
Tipping can be stressful: Some servers have reported feeling pressure to provide overly attentive service in order to receive larger tips.

Arguments against getting rid of tipping:

Tipping is traditional: Tipping has been a longstanding practice in the restaurant industry, and many customers are accustomed to leaving a tip for good service.
Tipping can be motivating: Some servers argue that the possibility of earning a larger tip can be a motivating factor in providing good service.
Tipping can be a way to provide a living wage: In some countries, the minimum wage for servers is lower than for other jobs, and tips can help make up the difference.

There are different alternatives to tipping, like the automatic service charge, which include it in the menu prices, or a living wage, which increase the base salary for servers. However, these alternatives may have their own challenges and drawbacks as well. Ultimately, whether or not restaurants should do away with tipping is a matter of personal opinion and there are no simple solutions.

Why you shouldn't tip at restaurants?

There are some arguments for why one may choose not to tip at restaurants, including:

Tipping perpetuates income inequality: Tipping relies on the idea that servers should be paid less than minimum wage and make up for the difference in tips. This can lead to servers being paid less than other employees and can perpetuate income inequality.
Tipping can be discriminatory: Studies have shown that servers who are perceived as more attractive or friendly receive larger tips, regardless of their actual service.
Tipping puts pressure on servers: Tipping can put pressure on servers to provide overly attentive service in order to receive larger tips, which can be stressful for them.
Tipping is not a standard practice: Tipping is not a universal practice and varies between cultures and countries, leading to confusion and expectations that may not be met by the customers.
Tipping can be viewed as optional or voluntary. Some customers may feel that they are under no obligation to tip and that they should only do so if they received good service.

It's worth noting that not tipping at restaurants may not be well received by the servers and staff, who may rely on tips as a significant part of their income. If you choose not to tip, it's important to be respectful of the server's work and the expectations of the culture or country you are in.

Why we should get rid of tips?

Here are some arguments for why some people believe that the practice of tipping should be done away with:

Tipping can perpetuate income inequality: Tipping relies on the idea that servers should be paid less than minimum wage and make up the difference in tips. This can lead to servers being paid less than other employees and can perpetuate income inequality.
Tipping can lead to uneven pay: Tipping is often based on the customer's subjective perception of service, rather than the actual quality of service provided. This can lead to uneven pay for servers and other restaurant staff.
Tipping can perpetuate discrimination: Studies have shown that servers who are perceived as more attractive or friendly receive larger tips, regardless of their actual service.
Tipping can be stressful for servers: Tipping can put pressure on servers to provide overly attentive service in order to receive larger tips, which can be stressful for them.
Tipping can create confusion for customers: Tipping customs and expectations vary between cultures and countries, leading to confusion and misunderstandings for customers.
Tipping can be viewed as optional or voluntary. Some customers may feel that they are under no obligation to tip and that they should only do so if they received good service.
Tipping can be seen as a way of avoiding responsibility for fair compensation and benefits for the staff. Employers may use the tips as a way to pay less to the servers and staff, leaving them to rely on the tip income.

It's worth noting that getting rid of tips may have its own challenges, like, for instance, an increase in menu prices, and it may not be well received by the servers and staff, who may rely on tips as a significant part of their income. Alternative systems, such as a service charge or a living wage, have been proposed to address some of the issues with tipping, but their implementation may also have its own challenges.