I was starting to feel guilty about my plan to start tipping a lot less, so I ran some numbers.
In 2016, servers made $10.70 an hour. Right now, they make $13.60/hour (an increase of 27% in just over a year). In October, that is going to be $15/hour (a 40% increase from 2016).
Since 2014, my salary has gone down at the rate of inflation, as I've been in a salary freeze.
Given this, I've reconsidered my plan.
I will be tipping 5% until October, at which point I will only be tipping for exceptional service.
It sucks that servers have to tip out, but at least you have 40% more income to offset that tip-out.
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