Thoughts on tipping?

You morons forget in other parts of the world waiters/waitresses actually get paid a decent wage before tips, hence the less tipping.

 

[S]

Tips are a rare occurrence here in Australia, unless you go to a nicer/higher end restaurant. Mainly due to what Ame said; wage rates are far higher.

 

[Suppressive]

I usually don't tip unless I actually think the waiter has earned it.

 

[Swan]

I don't think you should be going to restaurants with that mindset.

Oh but I do. And I get good service regardless of not giving tips because where I live the waiters and waitresses are actually paid a decent rate by their employer. Over-acceptance of tipping culture is what promotes such a low wage it seems, as waiters earn as much as any other part time job around here.

Why should I supplement for the greed of an establishment? If your working conditions are poor, join a union or find another job.

It isn't disrespectful in places where the custom is to tip for good service. They likely tip themselves when they go out as well. It is expected generally, so you're being insulting when you don't, whether you like it or not.

Define good service. If it's constantly coming to my table and interrupting my meal to fill up a drink that I may not want then I'll pass on it.

The only time I would be inclined to tip someone is when they actually do something to deserve it and I have cause to thank them. If someone's just doing their job, that's what they've subscribed to do and it's not any of my business.

Then you won't be eating anywhere but fast food. Why would they care if you came back?

A single regular customer can pay more than one employee's entire wage with the cost of meals alone. Employees are expected to give good service as it keeps the customers coming. That is the mentality of most employers, both within and without Australia. If someone expected a tip here, they'd be fired. If they're offered a tip, good for them.

The alternative is to just add 15% to the cost of food, therefore removing your choice and possibly compromising the quality of service by removing incentive.

That's a rather lazy mentality to have and if good service really depends on cash supplemented out of hand by the customers, someone's not doing the job they signed up for properly.

The best service I have ever received was in Japan, and it was in every establishment I ever visited there, no matter how cheap or expensive the food was, and no matter the pay of the person serving me. Hell, it extended to just about any job, not just waiting. The service in Australia is not as sugar-coated, but I'm provided with what I paid for and treated courteously, which is enough. Any more I would find annoying to be honest - I expect to be left to my meal and if I want something I'll call them over.

 

Yeah no matter what i always leave 15 to 20% for my waiter/waitress. They can make as low $2 an hour as they are expected to get tips, and if you take out leaving a tip they can't survive on $2 an hour lmao.

 

[Myleus]

I'm not sure how it is in other countries, but in the United States, servers depend on tips to get paid.

Exactly. You're not sure how it is in other countries, so please don't go about acting like you do. If servers depend on tips to get paid, why is it even called a "tip" anymore? If the servers expect the tip, why call it a tip? Why don't you called it a service charge or something? I'm pretty sure "tips" are completely optional, I don't get why people expect it. I'm not questioning the fact that they don't make enough money, I have no right to question that. But just because they depend on tips to pay off bills, it doesn't mean that I have to tip. No, this doesn't make me cheap - since when does not doing something completely OPTIONAL make me cheap?

Yeah you can say that it's the employer's fault or whatever, but unfortunately that's not how things work here. The employer has no say.

IF it's not the employer's fault for paying the servers enough, it is the customer's fault for not "giving" money to the servers - the money that was supposed to be given by the employer? Some of you say 2$/hr is minimum wage. Well then, if it IS actually minimum wage there, if the workers signed the contract, knowing that they'll only get 2$/hr, doesn't that mean that they agree on getting that 2$/hr? Does the contract say "The customers will definitely tip you."? I'm pretty sure it doesn't. The employer has no say? Oh, so the employer doesn't decide how much he pays the employees? Sure makes a lot of sense.

If you're a server, then you don't depend on an hourly wage and that goes for all restaurants. It's all about tips, so when you go out to eat and you don't leave them anything, then they don't get paid.

As I previously stated, the hourly wage was what they SIGNED up to, by doing so they agreed on the terms of earning x amount of money. If it's not enough for them, they knew it when they signed up. Why must I contribute the remaining of their "pay"? Why must they expect the tip? I'll give it if I want, it's a tip after all. If I don't leave them anything then they don't get paid? So you're saying they earn absolutely 0$/hr? Contradicting yourself now?

Serving at a busy restaurant is hard work, so how about you not talk about something you know nothing about. Not only do you come off as a cheap fuck, but you sound ignorant as shit.

Yes, I know it's hard work. Since when did I say it isn't? Am I questioning that? No. You're the one being ignorant, you're assuming that I "don't know what I'm talking about". I'm pretty sure OP asked for our opinions, just because I don't agree with your personal opinion, you don't have to call me a cheap f***. It's a general discussion forum, if I don't agree with you, it doesn't mean that you should call me that. Whatever, I guess.

Yeah the tip system is stupid, but a lot of things in life are, so quit crying because you don't want to leave a dollar tip for your measly $10 meal.

It's stupid, even you're admitting that yourself. And the rest of your post you're arguing how you support it? Also, I'm not crying, because I don't leave tips 90% of the time. Am I complaining that I have to leave a tip every meal? No. You're talking about it like it's compulsory, which is not the case, it's optional and thus shouldn't be expected.

Go to McDonald's if you don't want to tip. People at McDonald's don't do nearly the amount of work servers at restaurants do and they get paid an hourly wage, which is why they don't get tipped.

As I said before, tipping isn't mandatory, it's optional. Please stop going about it like it's mandatory. So what if they don't do the amount of work servers at restaurants do? Does it matter? No. If they're getting paid a wage that is higher than servers in restaurants, why don't the servers who keep complaining go and work at McDonalds instead? After all, according to you, it's less work, right? Just because someone's doing more work, it doesn't mean that I have to tip them.

And why don't other jobs require tips? Maybe because other jobs actually get a nice check every week and don't rely on tips to survive.

Yes, other jobs don't require tips, because they earn enough. Precisely, so if you want to "survive", why don't you just go sign up for the "other jobs"? Isn't it because you don't have the experience for it? Or is it that you don't want to put in the effort for that job? So you have CHOSEN the job of a server, and as I said before - you signed up KNOWING what you got, (according to the people who claim that 2$/hr is minimum wage) so why are you complaining?

Use your head. If that's so hard for you to understand, then you're probably just too young to know shit about work.

It's not hard for me to understand. I know what you're trying to say, - what makes you think I don't understand English? How does my opinion have anything to do with my age? Just because I don't agree with your personal view, it doesn't mean I don't understand or I'm "too young". Why must you launch personal attacks just because someone disagrees with you? I don't understand.

 

[Dimethyl]

Exactly. You're not sure how it is in other countries, so please don't go about acting like you do. If servers depend on tips to get paid, why is it even called a "tip" anymore? If the servers expect the tip, why call it a tip? Why don't you called it a service charge or something? I'm pretty sure "tips" are completely optional, I don't get why people expect it. I'm not questioning the fact that they don't make enough money, I have no right to question that. But just because they depend on tips to pay off bills, it doesn't mean that I have to tip. No, this doesn't make me cheap - since when does not doing something completely OPTIONAL make me cheap?

Lol you misunderstood like 99% of what I said. I really don't even want to reply because it's 6am and you'll probably take everything I say out of context like you just did, but what the fuck ever, i'll make this quick.

The first thing I said is that I don't know how the tip system works in other countries and I never once acted like I did. Derrr learn to fucking read. You're the one acting like just because you don't have to tip in your country, then that's how it must be here in the United States too. I don't give a shit what it's called. If you want to call it a service charge, then be my guest. Some restaurants even include the tip in the bill because of people who don't tip. And actually I do kind of know how it is in other countries because I lived in Portugal when I was young and have been all over Europe. The tip system is completely different there than it is in the United States. Just because you aren't used to tipping doesn't mean that's how it works everywhere.

IF it's not the employer's fault for paying the servers enough, it is the customer's fault for not "giving" money to the servers - the money that was supposed to be given by the employer? Some of you say 2$/hr is minimum wage. Well then, if it IS actually minimum wage there, if the workers signed the contract, knowing that they'll only get 2$/hr, doesn't that mean that they agree on getting that 2$/hr? Does the contract say "The customers will definitely tip you."? I'm pretty sure it doesn't. The employer has no say? Oh, so the employer doesn't decide how much he pays the employees? Sure makes a lot of sense.

It's not the employer's fault because he doesn't have the power to pay his employees a decent wage even if he wanted to. Unfortunately, this is how things work here in the United States. Restaurants don't pay servers shit because here, it's just custom to tip just like it's custom to do things in other countries. I mean I don't know a single person who doesn't tip because it's just how things work around here and is common sense. People who choose to serve know how it works and they know that they have to rely on tips, so they know what they're signing up for. I mean how is this so hard for you to understand? Not everything has to be written in law for it to be the right thing to do. Maybe tipping isn't required, but here it's expected.

As I previously stated, the hourly wage was what they SIGNED up to, by doing so they agreed on the terms of earning x amount of money. If it's not enough for them, they knew it when they signed up. Why must I contribute the remaining of their "pay"? Why must they expect the tip? I'll give it if I want, it's a tip after all. If I don't leave them anything then they don't get paid? So you're saying they earn absolutely 0$/hr? Contradicting yourself now?

As previously stated, learn to read or use your brain, so you can actually comprehend what I'm saying. Never once contradicted myself.

Yes, I know it's hard work. Since when did I say it isn't? Am I questioning that? No. You're the one being ignorant, you're assuming that I "don't know what I'm talking about". I'm pretty sure OP asked for our opinions, just because I don't agree with your personal opinion, you don't have to call me a cheap f***. It's a general discussion forum, if I don't agree with you, it doesn't mean that you should call me that. Whatever, I guess.

Since when was I even talking to you? You have some serious entitlement issues if you think that everything I said was aimed at you. I'm not assuming shit either.

It's stupid, even you're admitting that yourself. And the rest of your post you're arguing how you support it? Also, I'm not crying, because I don't leave tips 90% of the time. Am I complaining that I have to leave a tip every meal? No. You're talking about it like it's compulsory, which is not the case, it's optional and thus shouldn't be expected.

Of course it's stupid, but unfortunately that's how it goes. I would much rather servers just get paid an actual hourly wage, but they don't, so I'm not going to bitch and moan about leaving a tip. I mean, I think a lot of shit is stupid, but sometimes you have to do things you don't necessarily agree with.

As I said before, tipping isn't mandatory, it's optional. Please stop going about it like it's mandatory. So what if they don't do the amount of work servers at restaurants do? Does it matter? No. If they're getting paid a wage that is higher than servers in restaurants, why don't the servers who keep complaining go and work at McDonalds instead? After all, according to you, it's less work, right? Just because someone's doing more work, it doesn't mean that I have to tip them.

I guess technically it is optional if that's how you want to think because nobody can make you, but it is expected, just like a lot of things in life. If you never want to tip, then that's your choice, but that doesn't make you right. What servers are complaining? Who are you referring to? Me? I'm not a server. Hmm maybe nobody wants to work at McDonalds because they pay shit. Not everyone wants to work the easier job that pays less because they don't want to work hard. Nice logic there.

Yes, other jobs don't require tips, because they earn enough. Precisely, so if you want to "survive", why don't you just go sign up for the "other jobs"? Isn't it because you don't have the experience for it? Or is it that you don't want to put in the effort for that job? So you have CHOSEN the job of a server, and as I said before - you signed up KNOWING what you got, (according to the people who claim that 2$/hr is minimum wage) so why are you complaining?

They earn enough because they don't fucking rely on tips and get an actual paycheck. Why do I need to keep repeating something that is so ridiculously simple? People choose to serve because sometimes you can make some pretty good money if you work at nice restaurants where people actually tip. Once again, I'm not a server. Never once said I did, but okay. If you think that stating the truth of how things go here in the U.S. is complaining, then sure.

It's not hard for me to understand. I know what you're trying to say, - what makes you think I don't understand English? How does my opinion have anything to do with my age? Just because I don't agree with your personal view, it doesn't mean I don't understand or I'm "too young". Why must you launch personal attacks just because someone disagrees with you? I don't understand.

No, I think it is hard for you to understand actually and you have no idea what I'm trying to say. Because with age comes experience and clearly you don't have much of that if what I'm saying is that hard for you to understand. Once again, I wasn't even referring to you, but I am now. Next time, maybe you should spend a little more time thinking before you start going on and on about absolutely nothing.

I mean seriously. There is ONLY one job in the U.S. that really expects you to tip and that's serving, so quit the bitching already.

 

[SuF]

Oh but I do. And I get good service regardless of not giving tips because where I live the waiters and waitresses are actually paid a decent rate by their employer. Over-acceptance of tipping culture is what promotes such a low wage it seems, as waiters earn as much as any other part time job around here.

Why should I supplement for the greed of an establishment? If your working conditions are poor, join a union or find another job.

The US does not really believe in unions anymore.

 

[Myleus]

The first thing I said is that I don't know how the tip system works in other countries and I never once acted like I did.

You say this and then, in the same post :

And actually I do kind of know how it is in other countries because I lived in Portugal when I was young and have been all over Europe.

Derrr learn to fucking read. You're the one acting like just because you don't have to tip in your country, then that's how it must be here in the United States too. I don't give a shit what it's called. If you want to call it a service charge, then be my guest. Some restaurants even include the tip in the bill because of people who don't tip. And actually I do kind of know how it is in other countries because I lived in Portugal when I was young and have been all over Europe. The tip system is completely different there than it is in the United States. Just because you aren't used to tipping doesn't mean that's how it works everywhere.

First of all, you don't know how it is in other countries, like you said, so why must you call us cheap f***s when we explicitly stated that we aren't from the United States? We do not have the same tipping system, so if I disagreed with your countries' custom, you act like your tipping system is the same everywhere and called us cheap and ignorant. I never once said that my view should be implemented in the other parts of the world. Did I say that the tipping system around the world is the same in my country? No. I'm simply stating my thoughts/views on the topic.

It's not the employer's fault because he doesn't have the power to pay his employees a decent wage even if he wanted to.

Explain.

Unfortunately, this is how things work here in the United States. Restaurants don't pay servers shit because here, it's just custom to tip just like it's custom to do things in other countries. I mean I don't know a single person who doesn't tip because it's just how things work around here and is common sense.

Did I say that restaurants pay their servers well? No. Did I argue about tipping not being a custom? No. Did I say that most people don't tip? No. I have a rough idea on the tipping system in America, and I'm simply stating my thoughts and views about it. Just because I don't agree with the system doesn't mean I'm not using common sense.

People who choose to serve know how it works and they know that they have to rely on tips, so they know what they're signing up for. I mean how is this so hard for you to understand? Not everything has to be written in law for it to be the right thing to do. Maybe tipping isn't required, but here it's expected.

Did I say that I don't understand? No. I understand how it works, if you'd actually read what I posted, I said that I shouldn't be paying the remaining deficit of the server's pay on behalf of the company. Why must I be expected to do that? Must the customer pay what the company is supposed to pay the workers?

As previously stated, learn to read or use your brain, so you can actually comprehend what I'm saying. Never once contradicted myself.

Well, I actually can read, thank you very much. It seems that you really enjoy throwing unnecessary comments and insults at others just because we don't agree with your opinion. I'm pretty sure this is the "general discussion" forum, not the spam forum, don't really know why you have to come off like this. (like how you called everyone cheap f***s in your first post). We're discussing our views, not throwing insults around. And you tell me to learn to read? Okay.

Since when was I even talking to you? You have some serious entitlement issues if you think that everything I said was aimed at you. I'm not assuming shit either.

In your original post you were clearly talking to the people who were against tipping. Do you even know what you said?

Of course it's stupid, but unfortunately that's how it goes. I would much rather servers just get paid an actual hourly wage, but they don't, so I'm not going to bitch and moan about leaving a tip. I mean, I think a lot of shit is stupid, but sometimes you have to do things you don't necessarily agree with.

Once again, you're suggesting that it's mandatory. "you have to do things you don't necessarily agree with" - I already said countless times, I don't think it's mandatory and I never tip unless I feel like the server deserves it. Also, I'm not b*tching or moaning about leaving a tip. I'm just discussing my views on the system, if you can't understand that, well I guess you can take it that way, then.

I guess technically it is optional if that's how you want to think because nobody can make you,

Exactly what I've been trying to say for the whole time.

but it is expected, just like a lot of things in life. If you never want to tip, then that's your choice, but that doesn't make you right.

As I already stated, I don't agree with it being expected. How many times must I repeat what I've already said? I know it's expected. I'm just disagreeing with it, and I never once said that not leaving a tip is "right" in any way. Nor did I say leaving a tip is wrong. You probably don't even understand what I'm trying to say, do you?

What servers are complaining? Who are you referring to? Me? I'm not a server. Hmm maybe nobody wants to work at McDonalds because they pay shit. Not everyone wants to work the easier job that pays less because they don't want to work hard. Nice logic there.

I don't get it at all. You say that McDonald's workers don't get tipped because they don't do as much work as servers. But what you're saying is that servers should get tipped due to them not earning enough. So which one is it? Do you tip based on the amount of effort the workers put in, or do you tip just because they aren't getting enough money? According to you, you say McDonald workers don't earn much, so why don't you tip them? After all, tips are "expected" because of the amount they're earning, right? What I'm trying to say is that tips should be given based on attitude/performance/effort, not because of their low wage.

They earn enough because they don't fucking rely on tips and get an actual paycheck. Why do I need to keep repeating something that is so ridiculously simple?

Once again, I understand that they rely on tips to make enough for a living.

People choose to serve because sometimes you can make some pretty good money if you work at nice restaurants where people actually tip. Once again, I'm not a server. Never once said I did, but okay. If you think that stating the truth of how things go here in the U.S. is complaining, then sure.

I'm saying that I disagree with expecting a tip. A tip is something that has to be earned (in my opinion), and not something that should be given to you due to the pure fact that you're only earning a measly sum of money.

No, I think it is hard for you to understand actually and you have no idea what I'm trying to say. Because with age comes experience and clearly you don't have much of that if what I'm saying is that hard for you to understand. Once again, I wasn't even referring to you, but I am now. Next time, maybe you should spend a little more time thinking before you start going on and on about absolutely nothing. I mean seriously. There is ONLY one job in the U.S. that really expects you to tip and that's serving, so quit the bitching already.

Once again, I understand what you're trying to say. Obviously you want to think that I don't, if you want to think that way, well go ahead. You were clearly talking to everyone who disagreed with the tipping system and called us cheap f***s(in your original post), which is absolutely unnecessary, considering that we were only stating our opinions, which was what I was referring to in my post. Maybe you should think before you post unnecessary comments.

I'm done arguing with you, if you want to reply then sure, go ahead.

 

[FireZ]

I usually give 25% tip or more, but thats just me.

 

[nodnarbusn]

The US does not really believe in unions anymore.

Thats entirely untrue. Union is still STRONG up north and is actually GROWING down south.

This is skilled trade unions I am talking about, there are lots of areas that unions never really caught on (like the south and majority of the west) but ir is spreading. I am seeing more and more union guys on my jobs.

 

You morons forget in other parts of the world waiters/waitresses actually get paid a decent wage before tips, hence the less tipping.

To correlate with the average wages made. It's still pretty bad when you compare the two.

Tips are a rare occurrence here in Australia, unless you go to a nicer/higher end restaurant. Mainly due to what Ame said; wage rates are far higher.

The National Minimum Wage in Australia is $15 per hour. Most waiters make $6-7 per hour. How is that any different from the US?

 

[Assiah Gaming]

I worked as a barmen/waiter in a touristic place. And even though i'm a student i spend my money as travelling around Turkey and trying out difference places.

When i was working, i really needed, looked out for tips. Couse of low wage, tips were helping me to survive and save some cash to further spendings. Doing stupid things, making people laugh to earn it , spending time with them while under their care etc. That's not the point though.

When i was spending the money, i rarely tipped. Come on , why should i tip someone who is not even saying your welcome, when i thank for the food ?

Tipping is a really good thing, it really is. But only if you tip someone who worth it, otherwise, waste of cash.

 

[Membership]

Wow... yeah everybody here is a cheap fuck. I always tip... 15% if the service isn't especially good, but 95% of the time I tip 20%.

Jeeze people if you're going somewhere to eat and pay $30 or $40, $5-8 isn't going to make a huge difference for you, but it will for your server.

I understand not tipping for McDonalds or stuff like that, but being generous is a lot more (personally) rewarding than being a cheap fuck.

You also have to understand that that same server probably also goes out to eat sometimes, going out and spending 50$ on a meal doesn't mean your rich or richer than your server, for all you know I could go out and spend 100$ or 200$ on a meal with my family but only have the possibility to do it once in a year. So I go out to eat once a year because I'm finacially struggling and I have to leave a 30$ tip? Nop, not everyone is a cheap fuck.

That being said I also like to tip bot only if it is a good service, if it's just regular service where the employee isn't really trying I don't think they deserve a tip. Also tips here are like 2-4€ usually even if you eat a 80€ meal

 

[reddogwwa]

I always tip...if I think the server was really good I will tip way better. If I can go out and blow 50-60 bucks on dinner I can toss the waitress/waiter 20 bucks if I liked them.


Everyone's been saying why tip someone for doing their job. Their job is to bring out the food and drinks. Its when they're Johnny on the Spot with something you need but didn't even ask for yet that they earn their money from me.

 

[Imagine]

You also have to understand that that same server probably also goes out to eat sometimes, going out and spending 50$ on a meal doesn't mean your rich or richer than your server, for all you know I could go out and spend 100$ or 200$ on a meal with my family but only have the possibility to do it once in a year. So I go out to eat once a year because I'm finacially struggling and I have to leave a 30$ tip? Nop, not everyone is a cheap fuck.

That being said I also like to tip bot only if it is a good service, if it's just regular service where the employee isn't really trying I don't think they deserve a tip. Also tips here are like 2-4€ usually even if you eat a 80€ meal

I'm not saying that you're richer than your server. I'm saying that you're already spending a bunch of money on a meal, the 20% will make a lot less of a difference to you than to your server, for which it can either be "wow, I've been waiting this table for the past two hours for free. I'm in a horrible mood now." or "wow, these guys are generous. I'm in a great mood now".

I'm saying that if you don't factor the cost of the tip into what you're spending you're a cheap fuck. (If $8 makes a significant difference to your financial status, you shouldn't be spending $40 on a meal in the first place, but that aside... if you do it because that's what you enjoy doing...) If the meal itself costs $40, you should count $50. etc.

Back to the meal = $40 example, if you go there and don't pay your server, you're a cheap fuck because you're paying $40 for something that you should be paying $50 for. Its the same sort of thing as complaining about the food even if you like it so that it comes free, or breaking an item at a store so you can get it discounted, or even, quite frankly, shoplifting. Except worse because its not a large entity that is bearing the loss, but a single server.

 

I usually tip my local pizza delivery guys, always good to have the employees at local places like you

 

[Imagine]

I usually give 25% tip or more, but thats just me.

Honestly, this just gave you a lot of respect in my book.

 

[Deep_Diver]

Society expects us to tip waiters/waitresses because they only get paid what $2-3 an hour? Thats like 1/3 of minimum wage in California. They get paid $2-3 and they will continued to get paid $2-3 if we continue to tip them for no good reason. Even if it is a few bucks, it should be the owner's job to pay the waiters/waitresses money, not ours. If we stop tipping for no good reason (tipping for delivery is reasonable, along with good service, etc.) than we will force the owner to pay them for minimum wage or else it will become illegal.

 

[Myleus]

I'm not saying that you're richer than your server. I'm saying that you're already spending a bunch of money on a meal, the 20% will make a lot less of a difference to you than to your server, for which it can either be "wow, I've been waiting this table for the past two hours for free. I'm in a horrible mood now." or "wow, these guys are generous. I'm in a great mood now".

I'm saying that if you don't factor the cost of the tip into what you're spending you're a cheap fuck. (If $8 makes a significant difference to your financial status, you shouldn't be spending $40 on a meal in the first place, but that aside... if you do it because that's what you enjoy doing...) If the meal itself costs $40, you should count $50. etc.

Back to the meal = $40 example, if you go there and don't pay your server, you're a cheap fuck because you're paying $40 for something that you should be paying $50 for. Its the same sort of thing as complaining about the food even if you like it so that it comes free, or breaking an item at a store so you can get it discounted, or even, quite frankly, shoplifting. Except worse because its not a large entity that is bearing the loss, but a single server.

Since when was tipping mandatory? Your whole argument is based around tipping being mandatory and that it is wrong if we don't leave a tip. When I walk into the restaurant, am I required to tip my server? No. Why? Because when I walk into the restaurant ,the server comes to me and helps me find a table, etc. This means that when I eat at the restaurant, the server's service is OFFERED to me when I eat there. I am NOT paying for the server's service it's offered to me when I eat there. Just because I don't want to give out money doesn't mean I'm cheap. Your point is that 20% cost is nothing compared to the original cost of the meal. Well, that's how you view it. How I view it is giving money to the server. Why are servers entitled to my free money when their service was offered to me when I go into the restaurant? Why don't I just give money away to charity or the homeless?

You said that the waiter will think 'these people are generous'. EXACTLY. Those who do leave tips are generous, not the other way around. I'm not cheap if I don't tip, those who tip are generous. Also, how does not doing something optional equal to shoplifting?