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I think tipping is a bit more interesting than that. It’s an equilibrium for the businesses and possibly for the workers, but often not for the customers. One o
by mikeash 8y ago
I think tipping is a bit more interesting than that. It’s an equilibrium for the businesses and possibly for the workers, but often not for the customers. One of the strange things about tipping is they people usually still do it even when there’s no need to. It’s rational to tip at a neighborhood restaurant where they might remember you the next time around, but it’s conpletely irrational to tip for a one-off meal in a strange city or at an airport restaurant or whatever. Most of us tip anyway in those situations.
- JumpCrisscross 8y ago> often not for the customers As someone who tends to tip well, I really don’t mind it. It’s a way to tangibly say “thank you” and “I appreciated your work.” (That said, tips should be above and beyond. Not required, and not included in minimum wages.)
- Dylan16807 8y agoDo you actually tip all the people you're thankful to? Or even half of them? I definitely don't; most of them would look at me weirdly if I tried to tip them. So I think that's a tempting story of benevolence people tell themselves but it isn't actually the main reason for tipping.
- niij 8y agoIf they want a thank you note they can go volunteer in their free time IMO. I think employers should be paying their employee's wages, not relying on the public to directly pay their salary.
- platz 8y agoDefine "rational"
- Eridrus 8y agoNot tipping makes people feel bad, so people often tip to keep their idea of themselves as a good person, not for a "rational" expectation of benefit.