HT_Black said:
Hang on, let me get on my cynicism goggles...Ah, there we go.
Because American culture is materialistic to a nearly unlawful degree, it is considered a status symbol if you have money to flaut about. In a practical sense, tipping the waiter/waitress is simply a more subtle way of saying, on no uncertain terms:
Mine is bigger than yours, you poor sap.
Did you read the thread before you posted? Rainman2203, RebellionXXI, Angelo Credo, Nekoali, 1012 Wont Happen, Mookie_Magnus, GreyWolf257, Worgen, Thoisk, Kawaiiamethist, Captain Blackout, and even Khitten, while seeming very begrudging about it, have all acknowledged the fact that in America, waitors/waitresses have far lower wages than they should.
I don't think I'm flaunting money around when I'm paying people what they would get if they had a more respectable minimum wage. If you don't like that, instead of being a jerk about it to the servers, you can just cook yourself. Even without tips, its generally cheaper, anyhow.
Typically, I try to eat out less and give a bit more of a tip than needbe, but when I'm at the local coffee shop, my times in which I tip are a bit more arbitrary, but is usually the change they make me- I try to tip every time I'm there.
I mean, I
know these people. Seen their kids, been there at least monthly (except for the summers) for the past four years. Well, that, and the fact that it has a really awesome atmosphere.