The problem are the folks that tip 20% religiously for good service or bad, and the servers that expect it and demand it!
Talk about a late comer! I had to look up my original comment because this posting was two months ago! Anyway, why doesn't my comment make sense? There are so many people out there that want everything for nothing and then complain when they don't get it.
I agree tipping for bad service only encourages it.
Ha! Better Nate than Lever!
Dunno why that thread popped up, but it was in the "Latest Comments" section. Ain't FR great? Like mummies arguing.
Anyhows, my point is (and I think we generally agree) is that as a "good tipper" I get no more credit for my benevolence in the form of good service than the people who are skinflints and never tip and then complain about bad service.
Proof being that a custom based on a percentage of the bill guarantees that the server/waitstaff/food-delivery-engineer can't know if you're going to tip generously or stiff them till after the service is rendered.
I tip 20% or more for good service, especially when I'm at a bar because then successive tips give a clue as to how they will pour you on the next round. But at a restaurant, unless they know you, it doesn't do any good.
So you are correct that there are people out there who don't tip and scream bloody murder about the service. But there are also people who tip well and whine about everything anyway.
Tipping is NOT capitalism because the terms of trade in capitalism are agreed up-front. Tipping is more like blackmail to keep the bartender's good humor while you drink; and it is merely alms to reward hot waitresses and punish bitchy ones.