The reason that springs to mind immediately is that tipping is a mechanism by which good employees (polite ones, or ones who go above and beyond to provide exce

The reason that springs to mind immediately is that tipping is a mechanism by which good employees (polite ones, or ones who go above and beyond to provide excellent service) are paid more relative to worse ones. If only that were true. It is not quality of service that drives tipping size, but to put it crudely, hotness. Even if your statement were true it is for the business to resolve, not the customer. If the level of service provided by the employee does not match the level expected by management then management needs step in and solve. All tipping does is screw up the normal relationship between the employer and the employee.