How I see it, it should only be called a TIP if it is optional. If it is expected or automatically billed, or otherwise required it is really just another charge.

I almost always tip 20% at restaurants. Why? sometimes we have an above average experience with our server but usually I just tip because the line is there and that's what people do. The service is not normally very good and often is bad.

Tips exist because there are a few jobs out there where the individual employee has a fair amount of control and discrestion over how good the customer is served. Tips ensure that the worker has the motivation and reward for a successful interaction with the customer.

Now, tips have evolved into TOO many jobs. In many cases, people are tipped simply because they didn't screw up or they weren't rude. Often, tip requests seems to ask, "hey, pay me a little extra just for doing my job (like scooping your ice cream)".- I know these jobs don't get paid a lot, but that's because they are not important jobs. They are minimum wage because they require no skill and no experience. We have all been there at some time. Truly, it is not our job to subsidise those with low paying jobs. Teachers are also underpaid, should we tip them just for showing up to work?

I am also sick of automatic tip charges. Just how does the hotel know beforehand that the service is going to derserve 18%? Normal is still only 15%........