Dave Smith wrote:

> If I am in a restaurant and notice that I am being neglected because one of
> my waiter's other customers is throwing bigger tips I have the option of
> throwing big tips myself or walking out and never coming back.


Or complaining to management. If I got bad service in a supermarket, a
mechanic's garage, a doctor's office, a department store, a bookstore, a
drycleaner, pharmacy, or any of a hundred other sorts of stores and
services, I'd consider my options. Not returning with my business is
one. Considering if I'm just in a bad mood is another. And complaining
to management is a pretty good one. In many cases, they want to know.


I'm not sure I've ever been in a restaurant situation where I thought
someone else was getting better service because they were throwing
bigger tips. (I've had to think about this one.) Usually bad service
is a matter of an incompetent server or incompetent management which
puts the server in an impossible situation. I think this is why I'd do
away with the whole tipping business if I could wave my magic wand and
do it. As far as I can see, tipping is just a complicated and stupid
way of paying wages.


--Lia