I go home (USA) every summer as I work abroad. Each year I feel a bit more disconnected to the US.
I met friends for breakfast at a cool little spot we used to get breakfast tacos at. This year it seems they've switched to a QR code menu, so no waiters. At the end of the purchase they ask for a tip. I sort of look around myself and wonder who I'm tipping, so I press “skip”. My friends were appalled, one said “what if they spit in your food”. So we're being held hostage now?
Second time a bartender at one of my old favorites simply poured beer from a tap and hurried on to the next customer. We maybe said two words to eachother past the order. The bill was $28 for me and my friend after a few drinks and I gave her $30 and told her to keep the change. Despite me paying for my friend he lambasted me on not subsidizing her wage, despite no renowned service being given.
Same story for another bar me and a friend went to. Ordered food at the bar and it was brought to the table. No interaction, no checking in on us, nothing. So I tipped nothing. This brought on a tirade from my friend on how I was “arrogant” and a “tourist” who should adhere to the culture.
I'm done yall. Tipping is wrong in of itself, but if it should exist it should be based on the performance of a server going above and beyond. I did tip that summer, but not for sub-par/non-existent service. Tipping culture in the US is out of control, something needs to happen.