Which I find strange in a culture where tipping is a way to show superiority over others.



I would often do this. Never keeping anything for myself. More points that way.:)
Back then I had debt. After the meal I would deposit the cash, saving a few weeks worth of interest.

auto tip can truly range. At Millbrae pancake house it’s 15 / 18 / 20. At most places I know it’s 18 to 25 range. It’s truly the choice of the business on how they set the tip. If it’s that big of an issue then we don’t need to return and indeed I will fire places for reasons unrelated to the actual food. Alas it’s a human ymmv.

I’m similar without the debt. For my book club I use the cash to buy legal drugs at the drugstore where they don’t or can’t take plastic.