Yes, it is annoying. My point is just that it being annoying doesn't mean that is easy to solve, or that the cost of solving the annoyance in a non-systematic w

Yes, it is annoying. My point is just that it being annoying doesn't mean that is easy to solve, or that the cost of solving the annoyance in a non-systematic way is worth it (i. e., trailblazing restaurants forge ahead on their own, instead of, say, legislation about it). Also, most proposed solutions seem to involve raising the base cost to the customer... at which point the customer is no better off, and has instead lost the freedom to tip low or nothing if they choose, for whatever reason, to do so. Tipping is not mandated, though. Unless there is an automatic service charge, in which case it is not exactly tipping. It's just a fee, like your parking or anything else to be factored in to the overall cost of the meal.