I've also noticed at little take-away places if you pay by credit card there is a place for a tip on the receipt so you feel like a jerk putting $0. I think it's getting out of control. But on the other side of the coin, I know of a guy who works in a restaurant/ with a take-out. The waiters have to take turns manning the take-out, and they always know their tips are going to be way less the day they get assigned to the take-out. I'm not sure the answer--pay all waiters etc. a reasonable wage and get rid of the whole tip system??