@mjambon Cultural to some extent, but real circumstantial. Like in the USA people need tip to survive, not so much anywhere else. I dont see that as culture so much as legal circumstances.
@freemo what do you mean they need tips? Fast-food workers don't get tips, they survive, and I as a customer I prefer the experience.
@freemo kitchen staff don't get tips either. In a state like California, it means they make minimum wage whereas the tipped staff makes the same minimum wage + tips. Just saying that the "tips are necessary" argument is cultural.
@mjambon I mean in jobs where tips are expected the minimum wage is something like $2. In jobs where tipping isn't expected min wage is like $15. So yes McDonald's cashier's in the USA make way more base hourly than a waitor.
@freemo right. In California, everyone makes the same minimum hourly wage of $16 regardless of tips. There's no "employer discount" for tipped employees like at the federal level and many other states. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/minimum-wage/tipped
@mjambon ohhh news to me. Nice
@freemo I also had no idea until like 2 months ago.
@freemo correct. I'm still thinking about tipping vs. not tipping. I try to rationalize my attitude but I realize it's deeply cultural.