When this is brought up in other conversations, the servers usually prefer tips because they don't trust the employer to not screw them over on pay. Secondly th

When this is brought up in other conversations, the servers usually prefer tips because they don't trust the employer to not screw them over on pay. Secondly they can get a lot higher effective pay with tips than with straight pay. In the end the kitchen staff gets screwed but that is not the servers problem. Employers prefer tipping because they can advertise a lower price. Secondly tips are effectively a per customer payment vs a wage being hourly. So in times of few customers, the labor costs are lower on the employer.