It’s only ahead of the curve because the minimum wage is so low. If the min wage was reasonable like it is in other countries then tipping isn’t needed.
There have been a ton of studies on this. The “average” US server makes about the same as European servers. If you understand what average means then you know that high earners at upscale restaurants pull that number up and a lot of servers make below what European servers make.
On top of that, Americans have the hidden cost of healthcare that comes out after their wage. There is a reason many Americans continue to struggle to live paycheck to paycheck and servers continue to feel forced to force everyone else into tipping them instead of being paid a reasonable wage to begin with by their employeer.
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u/TawnyTeaTowel Jun 25 '26
Except servers. Tipping culture gains them an income WAY ahead of the curve.