Tipping isn't mandatory. But the issue is if a lot of people stop tipping all at once, servers will quit those locations. Then those locations will almost certainly go out of business because they can't afford to pay a living wage because the US's commercial real estate is insanely expensive. Current restaurant models essentially are built on this dynamic and to change it would require a lot of moving pieces to change. But for those pieces to change, a LOT of businesses will need to go out of business all at once to tank the real estate market.

And you may think: if they can't afford to pay a living wage, they should go out of business. That's a reasonable stance but it ignores the result: megacorps will buy up real estate and only huge chain restaurants will likely survive these kinds of busts. All your local favorite places will go under and be replaced by Fridays or Applebees because their thousands of locations can close 25% to focus on profitability.

[–] Darkmuch@lemmy.world 32 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I’ve been asked for tips when having carryout. And also getting a scoop of ice cream. Tipping is a relic of racist practices when southern people didn’t want to pay emancipated black workers a wage. It only still exists because restaurant owners lobby congress to keep it a thing. Stop bribing congress and pay your employees you fucks.

[+] Neato@ttrpg.network -19 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I’ve been asked for tips when having carryout.

You're just complaining now. That has not been customary and it annoys me too. Don't tip if service wasn't rendered.

Tipping is a relic of racist practices when southern people didn’t want to pay emancipated black workers a wage.

Sad fact but entirely irrelevant to the issue today.

It only still exists because restaurant owners lobby congress to keep it a thing. Stop bribing congress and pay your employees you fucks.

In two sentences you have identified why you can't just stop tipping AND how to fix it: legislation.

If you stop tipping but still go out, you are essentially doing what racists in the past did by not paying people you would appear to not like. You not tipping is classist bigotry.

Fight for server's rights in a way that actually makes a difference: contact your congress people and elect people who care about this issue. Not tipping is just hurting people at the lowest rungs of society while still taking their labor. Gross.

[–] Serinus@lemmy.world 8 points 9 months ago

Fight for server's rights

Yeah, this isn't what you'd be doing. Survey servers and ask if they'd rather get tips or $15/hour and see what kind of responses you get.