Originally Posted by VentureForth

I lived in Japan for 18 years - grew up there. Totally aware of their tipping culture. And you make the best point so far - Rates need to be high enough before attempting to abandon the tipping culture. Some Japanese restaurants in Manhattan are doing precisely this.

Uber did the opposite. They lied to early riders, and told them that tips were included. But the rates were much higher. Then they said that tipping wasn't necessary. OK - that's cool. But then they slash the rates, making food service a viable alternative to driving. At this point, the survival instinct is for the drivers to revert to the custom of tipping that was precisely created to shift the burden of wages from the employer directly to those who were serviced.

I drive between 15-30 hours a week. I'm an aircraft engineer. I do this for fun. I could be a professional driver, but I enjoy doing it part time. That being said, whenever I drive, I strive to be as professional as I can.

Driving is a service industry, customarily tipped.