Do you think the act of tipping is strange?

Sometimes I tip.  But I mean they are already getting paid an hourly wage.  I feel like I'm tipping someone to do a job he/she's already being paid for.  What do you think?

Aw, no silly Poll? 
I was half expecting a: 
 
Yes 
No 
My Cunt Smells Like Rotten Fish 
-Type of poll, you're growing up :D 
But no, tipping isn't strange to me. It's not that much in the end anyway

Tipping is ok, especially if the waiter/waitress has been either awesome, or really nice.

Always tip, those waitresses get paid shit, they make their living on their tip. I always tip AT LEAST 30%

Not at all. Most of the time they don't get paid a lot so most of their money comes from tips.

I hate tipping, it's just an awkward situation... luckily it's not that common over here (Denmark) to leave a tip... :)

I think it should be done like how it is Japan (no tipping). I do tip well in the States though.

i only think its strange to tip people for doing a piss poor job, but if someones doin a great job then they deserve an extra incentive to do so, its not like people who get tips are getting paid all that much per hour.

Waitresses make below minimum wage. If they don't get tipped they make about $3 an hour, and they do way too much work to make that little of money. I mean, if they suck I tip horribly. If they do a good/great job though, I at least give them the 50%. If you had a job where they only paid you $3 an hour and made you dependant on tips you would work hard for tips too.

"

I hate tipping, it's just an awkward situation... luckily it's not that common over here (Denmark) to leave a tip... :)

"

Just do it real smooth, like this: 
 
HEY BUDDY! HEY! HEY! DO YOU WANT SOME MONEY! HERE YOU GO! HERE'S YOUR MONEY! WHO'S A GOOD BOY? YAH BUDDY!

They only make like a dollar or two an hour salary and make their actual living from their tips.

Having worked in the service industry at a job where we weren't allowed to accept tips, it's kind of a bummer that certain other jobs in the same industry are not just allowed, but expected to receive tips when their jobs are less stressful and involving than mine was and they're paid similarly. 
 
The general argument most make in favor of tipping is that, "These people are on their feet all day, get minimum wage, deal with rude customers. Poor them." But the same can be said of so many other jobs where the workers do NOT receive tips and work just as hard if not more so, dealing with annoying customers, taking orders, even preparing meals themselves; not just serving them all while staying on their feet and being paid the same base wage.
 
(That said, I still tip servers at restaurants >.> I actually tend to over-tip.)

actually they get paid dick, because their real income comes as tips, so it's not weird at all.  it also works as incentive for the wait staff to not suck as well. personally i usually leave a hefty tip if they're good.

A world of yes.
 

It's fine if they do a good job, if they don't still tip so they don't spit or do anything worst to your food.

" Having worked in the service industry at a job where we weren't allowed to accept tips, it's kind of a bummer that certain other jobs in the same industry are not just allowed, but expected to receive tips when their jobs are less stressful and involving than mine was and they're paid similarly.   The general argument most make in favor of tipping is that, "These people are on their feet all day, get minimum wage, deal with rude customers. Poor them." But the same can be said of so many other jobs where the works do NOT receive tips and work just as hard if not more so, dealing with annoying customers, taking orders, even preparing meals themselves; not just serving them all while staying on their feet the entire time. "

 No, it is just what you do. I tip when ever I eat at a resturant, it is just rude not to. 
 
@Symphony:    I used to work at a movie theater and we weren't allowed to take tips either. I also delt with some shitty people, but it isn't expected of people to tip there, while at a resturant you are. It is just tradition I guess.

What? No... 
 
 
You cheap bastards.

Well.. stop it then! You're making the rest of us out to be cheap assholes :D

But as far as i know, waitresses aren't really reliant on tips in Denmark?!

These days, with narcissism and obsession with multi-national wealth at an all time high, tipping does seem to be an artifact. 

As one who earns tips, I like it!

"What? No...   You cheap bastards. "

In the US, tipping is expected.  That's just the way it works.  That doesn't mean it's necessary, but that's typically the expectation.  I always tip.  It would take quite a bad attitude for me not to.  I've done that type of work myself.  I usually understand that occasional bad service isn't intentional or without reason.

" @Symphony said:

" Having worked in the service industry at a job where we weren't allowed to accept tips, it's kind of a bummer that certain other jobs in the same industry are not just allowed, but expected to receive tips when their jobs are less stressful and involving than mine was and they're paid similarly.   The general argument most make in favor of tipping is that, "These people are on their feet all day, get minimum wage, deal with rude customers. Poor them." But the same can be said of so many other jobs where the works do NOT receive tips and work just as hard if not more so, dealing with annoying customers, taking orders, even preparing meals themselves; not just serving them all while staying on their feet the entire time. "

They make well below minimum wage. "

  Hard to argue....

If you can afford to eat out, you can afford to tip.

Yea, it does feel weird, mainly because I never know how much to tip. I thought I was paying for the food, not for you to fake enthusiasm!

Tipping is very uncommon where I live, so yes I guess.

" @davidwitten22 said:

" @Symphony said:

" Having worked in the service industry at a job where we weren't allowed to accept tips, it's kind of a bummer that certain other jobs in the same industry are not just allowed, but expected to receive tips when their jobs are less stressful and involving than mine was and they're paid similarly.   The general argument most make in favor of tipping is that, "These people are on their feet all day, get minimum wage, deal with rude customers. Poor them." But the same can be said of so many other jobs where the works do NOT receive tips and work just as hard if not more so, dealing with annoying customers, taking orders, even preparing meals themselves; not just serving them all while staying on their feet the entire time. "

They make well below minimum wage. "

Uhh... there are laws in most places that stipulate workers who are paid over the table must be paid minimum wage. That's kind of why it's called MINIMUM wage, not "You-should-probably-pay-them-this-but-you-don't-really-have-to wage".  But maybe America is backwards like that. Canada certainly isn't. "

In the US waiters are paid ( and taxed!) at a level that assumes they will be tipped. After taxes, they may actually lose money for working if they aren't getting tips. I never served tables but I know enough people who have, at enough different places, to know this is true.

I don't mind tipping for service that deserves it.
 
But mandatory tipping is wrong and immoral to ask of somebody. They should just increase prices of everything in the house by %15 and distribute it out internally to the waitresses based on table and ticket. Make it mostly transparent and remove the tip line from the bottom of the check. Just don't demand MORE money after I've paid.

" If you can afford to eat out, you can afford to tip. "

" In the US waiters are paid ( and taxed!) at a level that assumes they will be tipped. After taxes, they may actually lose money for working if they aren't getting tips. I never served tables but I know enough people who have, at enough different places, to know this is true. "

" @SuperfluousMoniker said:

" In the US waiters are paid ( and taxed!) at a level that assumes they will be tipped. After taxes, they may actually lose money for working if they aren't getting tips. I never served tables but I know enough people who have, at enough different places, to know this is true. "

Not only is it true, the server could be fired for not making enough tips to equal minimum wage. "

I always tip fairly well in restaurants but tend to skimp out in the bars.  I mean, if all you do for me is take the top off a beer I generally don't think this gesture is worth a dollar.  Unless you give me super fast service or something.

Yes. Here in Sweden, you're never expected to tip; in fact, if you tipped someone, he or she would probably perceive you as strange.

I was a server.  And you really don't understand how hard servers have to work until you are one.  When it's busy in a restaurant you're running your ass off to make sure everyone is happy.  And you get paid minimum wage.  It's garbage.  The only point of being a server is hoping for good tips.

" @davidwitten22 said:

" @Symphony said:

" Having worked in the service industry at a job where we weren't allowed to accept tips, it's kind of a bummer that certain other jobs in the same industry are not just allowed, but expected to receive tips when their jobs are less stressful and involving than mine was and they're paid similarly.   The general argument most make in favor of tipping is that, "These people are on their feet all day, get minimum wage, deal with rude customers. Poor them." But the same can be said of so many other jobs where the works do NOT receive tips and work just as hard if not more so, dealing with annoying customers, taking orders, even preparing meals themselves; not just serving them all while staying on their feet the entire time. "

They make well below minimum wage. "

Uhh... there are laws in most places that stipulate workers who are paid over the table must be paid minimum wage. That's kind of why it's called MINIMUM wage, not "You-should-probably-pay-them-this-but-you-don't-really-have-to wage".  But maybe America is backwards like that. Canada certainly isn't. "

I think tipping should be about the service you get. If you get a bad waiter, why would I tip him? If you want a tip from me, get my order right and be semi friendly. I'm not asking for a handy under the table, just do your job right. Restaurants that require tipping will never see my money.

Drop them a $10 if the meal and everything else goes well.  $20 if you feel saucy.

sometimes, it can be weird to tip. other times tipping is good. i usually give person $6 tip on anything really.

"  

"

What!?!
 
You do know that you are supposed to tip, because those guys only get paid by tips, right?
 
You are stealing if you don't tip.

As everyone has pointed out, they get shit pay and rely on tips for their wage. I've grew up with family in the service industry, so the idea of not tipping is atrocious to me. In America, anyway. I understand in a lot of other countries tipping is seen as amazingly weird.

I tip 10 percent for mediocre service, and 15 percent for great service, and 1 percent for bad service.