Before you judge me, I’m a good tipper. Even when service is subpar (which let’s be honest, it’s getting more and more so), I tip at a minimum 15% and typically 20% (also, the math is just easier).

But all this tipping is doing is a transfer of wealth from you to businesses. They don’t have to pay a decent wage anymore, and they force the population to cover the costs of living.

Tips used to be for good service.. now it’s just standard? That’s a tax, people. A voluntary tax, but still a tax. And we’re guilted into this tax, as if it’s our responsibility to help employees pay bills. No, it isn’t my responsibility. It’s the employer’s responsibility.

Even the fact that my first sentence here preemptively tries to assuage my guilt by saying I’m a good person and typically tip shows how we are all guilted into it.

There’s gotta be a better way.

Edit: servers and others that receive tips: I’m not mad at you. You deserve a living wage. I know you work hard. The problem is these bigger companies offloading their costs onto customers making it their responsibility to cover that portion of your wages. We’re on the same side.