Alright, I said I would stay out but one final post to clear up a couple of things. First on the idea of "spitting" in people's food. Never once did I say anything like that. Planemechanic, jumped on that wagon.

What I was talking about was doing simple little tricks such as microwaving someones bread so it was piping hot when you dropped it off and then hard as a brick a minute later, under dressing someone's salad is another, or picking out wilted leaves or soggy tomatoes when builing said salad. Watering down someone's tea or coffee, not sending their food to the kitchen for a while so they wait longer to eat, letting their food get colder before you take it out etc.

That being said, that doesn't make those actions right, and never did I condone those actions. I just stated that these people are handling your food and there are some who don't value their job as much as others.

As for the whole 10% thing vs 15-18% now.

Perhaps I wasn't very good at explaining it so let me go into detail with some links.

In 1966, US congress proposed that tipped employees should get paid half of minimum wage, which at the time was around 1.50

In 1996, Congress froze the tipping wage increase at 50% of the wage at the time which was 4.25. That is where the magic number of 2.13 comes from which is the salary of most tipped employees. Since that time the federal minimum wage has increased to over 7.00 an hour. Guess what the minimum wage of servers is? It is still frozen at 2.13.

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0774473.html

http://www.paywizard.org/main/askpay...waitress-wages

So while at one time servers used to make half of minimum wage now it is less than 1/3.

I know many of you will say it isn't my problem and its up to the managers to pay employees a livable wage and other such excuses.

The bottom line is that servers haven't had a raise in their minimum wage in 15 years which is why you have seen an increase in tipping percentage from 10% to 15-18%. I know many people that would be pretty upset if they didn't get a raise in 15 years. Because as you all know the cost of living in 2011 isn't the same as in 1996. I can understand if you don't think it is fair that the customers have to provide that and feel that the restaurant should. That is a valid argument and one that might carry more weight in a congressperson's inbox than an internet message board. However, just like taxes aren't included in the vast majority of items people purchase neither is the gratuity and if it was, while some would appreciate the "honesty" many others wouldn't appreciate the rise in prices.

If you are against the tipping system, I hope you are doing something productive to try and change it. But stiffing someone who is just trying to do their job and take care of themselves/their families doesn't change the system, it just makes their lives worse.

Edited to address some individual issues

Considering that it takes an average of 4 years get an undergraduate degree and then an additional 2 for a masters getting it done in 5 while working 30 hours a week is pretty good. So I appreciate the fact that you think I should have worked harder.

Planemechanic there is nothing I could have ever said to make you change your mind. I would have as much luck trying to change your political views or religion as I would on your beliefs on tipping.

I do not mind the current tipping structure so I don't see any need to change it. You are the one that thinks tipping = bribery and therefore the best way to "change" the system is to stiff honest hardworking people. The point of me posting on this thread was hopefully to give out insight and advice if necessary. Not to try and convince others to tip or tip more.