I don't know if anyone has posted this yet because I just skimmed through the second half of the thread, but here's a good write-up from Maclean's about tipping (not that I necessarily agree with Mr. Coyne.)
http://www.macleans.ca/culture/lifes..._110870_110870
Quote:
|
Everyone who's ever worked in a restaurant knows that the prettiest, most flirtatious waitresses get the biggest tips, at least from male customers, since at the back of his mind every man thinks if he throws down big he improves his chances of scoring — maybe not with her, but in some cosmic reckoning, with womankind — and at the back of her mind every waitress knows it. So toss in a whiff of prostitution, for good measure.
|
Quote:
|
Tipping might provide more of an incentive for good service if customers actually applied the principle in both directions. But be honest: if the food was lousy, and the service worse, does anyone actually omit the tip? Do you even reduce it? Or do you slink sullenly from the place, feeling abused and exploited, yet angriest at yourself for being such a milquetoast?
|