Germany has "a decent welfare state". Wait staff depends on tips to make their job worthwhile. Not as badly as in the US, but there's a reason they weren't rush

Germany has "a decent welfare state". Wait staff depends on tips to make their job worthwhile. Not as badly as in the US, but there's a reason they weren't rushing back into the hospitality industry after the Covid lockdowns were lifted: when they had to work elsewhere, many realized how much more they'd make, how much easier the job is, and how much less abusive the bosses are. Tipping is just a cultural thing, the welfare state doesn't have a lot to do with it.