Personally, I prefer the European philosophy. Hourly wages are much, much higher and a tip is something you give only when service is exemplary--it is typically not expected. I know it doesn't fly here because of North America's demand for quick service, but when you eat out there, it's more like a 2-3 hour event (and costs a lot more) so people don't do it as often (relatively speaking).
Just my personal preference having lived in both places.
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