First, all jobs should have to pay minimum wage. It is that way in WA where I live, In CA as well and I think in Oregon.
Second about 50% of americans make within 5$ of minimum wage. Anyone making within that amount should be exempt from tipping, period.
IF you make more than 20$ an hour (or equivalent per year (20*40=800*52=about 42k), you should tip. That should ALSO be determined based on how much you actually make as well. 5% for anyone making 40k-60k, 10% for anyone making 60k-80k, 15% for anyone making 80k-100k and 20% for anyone making 100k an up.
Most of my life I worked jobs where I didn't make as much as the people I was tipping, and I always tipped at least 5$ or 18-20% (rounded up) whichever was greater. I did that while I was making 30k as a teacher, I did it when I was making 15$/hr as an electronic tech (min wage was much lower then), I did it now when I was making $9/hr (12 total, but wyzant takes 25% of what you make, so it ends up being $9 an hour).
Considering the people I was tipping get at least $15 an hour base here and tips that generally blow that away, that is totally not fair no matter how you look at it. I still tip because I have had many friends who work jobs with tips and bad tip days, and not getting tips, can really ruin their days/make them unhappy.
Basically in America you either tip, or you make someone upset because you didn't.
That is wrong, especially for about 50% of the population.
Tipping should only be done by the wealthy who have more money then the people being tipped. My friend who worked at a mcmellons got about 600$ a night in tips in 6 hours, worked 3 days a week, and didn't even count/care about his base pay at all.
Tipping positions often pay more than attorneys for many years after they get their license, doctors and in some cases even engineers. People in tech jobs that have gone to school, incurred expenses and worked in the field for 10 years are making 40-60k a year. A good tipping job can make that much working part time.
I rarely if ever eat out now, considering I barely go into town twice a month, and don't usually eat out when there. Tipping $5 isn't breaking my bank, it makes a $15 meal cost $20 (I literally just leave a 20 for a 14.66$ bill). It's not a huge impact on me or my life, but I still think it needs to change, because it's just rediculous how many people who are making near min wage are tipping people who make so much more then them. It's not fair at all.
how about businesses have transparent prices for customers and transparent wages for employees, with no tipping nonsense involved. Then everyone knows what they labor is worth and what their money will get them. Everyone wins!
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Take me for what I am -- who I was meant to be. And if you give a damn, take me baby, or leave me.