Not sure if this goes here and certain this will be controversial, but….
We are caught in this con where we must subsidize the gap in bad pay and benefits for these workers because employers have exploited our guilt. So employers get off with more profit and we get stuck. Then when we try and change it, who defends it? Servers like this…
Look, I want EVERYONE to be able to make a decent living, part of that is me not having to pay extra to subsidize you making $90/hr when the employer should be paying you $25/hr with full benefits. I need my money as well. Why should I voluntarily throw more away while your employer profits?
We have to take a GOOD hard look at how we feel about tipping here. On one hand, the worker MIGHT suffer if we don’t do it, but on the other they also MIGHT be exploiting us to finance a 6 figure income at our expense.
I think personally the blanket percentage is a scam. It must be case by case.
And the best case is we outlaw the practice and force employers to pay better.