3 ms·

...it seems silly to assume that, by default, people will pay for something they didn't have to. That's not human nature. Then why do people on vacation leave

• mattmaroon 19y ago
  People who aren't on vacation leave tips too. And because it's a finely ingrained custom. There's a real person in front of you who will not get paid if you don't tip them, and you see them and they see you. To most people, Britney Spears is not real. They don't know her, and don't care about her. They won't pay her a cent for her new album because they don't have to face her in person.
  • dood 19y ago
    What about Radiohead?
    • paulgb 19y ago
      Novelty may have been a factor.
  • greendestiny 19y ago
    Coming from a country that doesn't tip, I agree completely about that tipping is all about custom and social expectation. Its not a transaction that makes a lot of sense without a lot of societal rules governing it. I certainly don't think that markets that operate with tipping run more efficiently than they would without. The desires that might lead to a micropayment, like for respect and identification with a particular band, would perhaps be better served with a different macro good. If you can get the music for free, then you're paying out of a want to support and connect with the band, maybe that would be better served by asking people to buy a t-shirt or something.
    • emfle 19y ago
      That the tip is a percentage of the bill makes no sense whatsoever. Bringing you Filets de venaison frits sur leur sauce a l'echalote is no more work than bringing you a Sloppy Joe with fries. The only explanation I can think of is that it is a way for restaurant owners to encourage waiters to encourage customers to buy expensive, high-margin food.
      • greendestiny 19y ago
        That's what working on commission does. Tipping is just working on commission but with a bunch randomness and social rules as obtuse as victorian era manners.
        • earthboundkid 19y ago
          It also means that waiters at expensive restaurants can expect to earn more in tips. So, they get the more experienced waiters.
      • andreyf 19y ago
        According to a food-aware friend of mine, the waiter who brings you Filets de venaison frits sur leur sauce a l'echalote should be able to explain to you exactly what ingredients went into the food, how it's made, and a lot of other intricacies about your meal.
  • andreyf 19y ago
    I agree that Britney Spears will not be able to make it in a tip-based music industry.