Just the tip.

[Miriel]

I loathe the whole concept of tipping.

Especially based on percentages. Why should I pay MORE for service, because I ordered a steak, versus ordering a salad? It's still one plate. Is there something I'm missing here? If there was like a standard service fee, I would be fine paying it. It's just so weird to me that how much a server gets tipped is directly reflected, not in the service itself, but the cost of the items you're getting. Whyyyy??

Also, in California, everyone gets minimum wage. So the whole, making-up-for-less-than-minimum-wages-thing doesn't really apply.

It's so nice and easy to deal with bills while traveling in Europe or Asia. No need to fuss over 10% versus 15% versus 20%. Everything is just laid out for you, how much you're supposed to pay. You pay it and leave, done. I love that!

And why does the percentage keep going up? I remember when 15% was the standard and 20% was really generous. And now it's like 20-30% is the standard. WTF?

Plus, I really really really hate the fact that even when you get terrible service, you're still expected to leave SOMETHING. And societal pressure on this is so strong, that I have only skipped out on tip like twice in my entire life. Even though I've had plenty of bad experiences. It's like some bizarre compulsion to leave extra money, when I shouldn't have to.

Either way, to deny them a tip that is typically expected just because they didn't provide top-tier service-to-the-Queen waiting on you is just plain kindof cruel. It is a part of American culture to tip. I guess I usually look at it that someone else is going to need four or so bucks more than I am, and it's probably going to ruin their day if I skip out on that.

Be nice and leave tips!

But WHY? I seriously don't understand. I am nice. I'm also, I think, fairly generous with the money that I have. The thing with tipping is that logically, I can't comprehend it. I don't care about that extra couple bucks, honestly. But why exactly am I leaving extra money to people who are being paid already? Because they work hard? Because they don't get paid that much? Isn't that true for plenty of people, even if they don't work in the service industry typically associated with tipping?

I get tipped sometimes and it's baffling to me. I've tried rejecting tip before because I don't need it, I don't expect it, and I don't know why people would want to give me EXTRA money. It's so freakin' weird.