After the abolition of slavery, many formerly enslaved individuals found work in the service industry, including as waitstaff. Tipping became a way for employer

After the abolition of slavery, many formerly enslaved individuals found work in the service industry, including as waitstaff. Tipping became a way for employers to avoid paying a fair wage to these workers, as they were expected to rely on tips for income. This system disproportionately affected Black workers. I've heard of another story about tipping and freed slaves. It was a way of tacitly demonstrating that the person no longer enslaved, they were paid