In theory, tipping is a great method for everyone involved. Servers can make a higher salary - much higher in high end establishment or in bartenders cases - then your typical food service salary. Customers can expect better service and if it's not received, they can express their disappointment via the compensation at the end of the meal. And for restaurants, costs are kept down as a huge portion of labor costs is passed on to the restaurant patrons.
So why are some people calling for the abolishment of the tipping system? There are many reasons why critics call tipping an outdated system. High up on the list - many servers live at the poverty line due to low wages and inconsistent tips. A busy Friday night is liable to yield a big pocket of cash, but a slow Monday may mean the server is working practically for free. This is especially a problem in seasonal establishments, where the winter months are slow no matter what (and of course, this is a problem for the restaurant owners as well as the servers). Critics will also point out that tipping culture is very much an American phenomenon - as European restaurants rarely tip and pay employees a flat hourly wage.
However, early adopters of abolishing the tipping system have reported problems also. High up on the list - customers just don't like it. Reports have shown that customers feel less confident about their quality of service when the tip is eliminated. In addition, some customers are less than confident that servers are being compensated fairly. At the end of the day, customers can choose not to come into the restaurant, so fi they dislike a system, it's a big problem for the restaurant overall. And the higher costs to the establishment are still an issue, as many restaurants do not have a huge margin to operate on.
This is a complex issue. If you'd like to weigh in, please leave your comments below.
