It's like a hack for the owner to show prices at a <insert tip rate> discount to the meal. If everyone has a shared expectation that the tip is a certain rate,

It's like a hack for the owner to show prices at a <insert tip rate> discount to the meal. If everyone has a shared expectation that the tip is a certain rate, then that's the pay. Why not remove tipping and add that cost to the menu? But then maybe you wouldn't be as competitive? I'm sure there are people who can make good money on tips. That's more like a commission on sales. In that sense, you're taking the risk of a higher upside by working in this industry. But the way it actually works, is that most will pay the expected tip. some won't pay any tip at all, some will give a bigger tip, and the worker is left to absorb the variance on a low pay gig. The industry should remove the downside and allow the upside. You get paid X. There is no tipping system. But the customer can still tip if they like. I don't work in the industry. Maybe I'm way off. I hope the employment picture changes in the future so that people will appreciate face to face service. I can't reach Facebook or Google for support and I'll cry about my loss, but I'll feel entitled to rage on my server for my $10 meal? Doesn't seem sustainable.