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Rebecca Holland's avatar

Agree with the need to abolish tipping, but it's very, very complicated. In theory it should be up to the restaurants to pay living wages, but restaurant margins are extremely thin–-even the expensive ones! I think it's only possible if they raise prices, which consumers also don't want. Americans will have to get used to paying a lot more for their meals if we want to abolish tipping, which I'm fine with and think eventually is the route many restaurants are starting to take, but it's not going to happen overnight. (Of course, this would all be A LOT easier and cheaper if we had universal health care and other social services!) In the meantime, tips are how a lot of people make money so I hope everyone in the U.S., whether those living here or visiting, tips appropriately.

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Steven Jepson's avatar

Bravo! Having spent 5 of the last 12 months in Europe, I avoid eating out at all when back home in the US. And the out-of-control tipping culture that you perfectly summarize is a big reason. My wife and I have wondered out loud what Europeans must think when they dine out while visiting the US - usually more expensive food with usually lesser quality....and then being asked to add 25% on top???

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