Why should we tip waiters?

A tip is a courtesy.

The only responsibility of the customer is to be respectful and pay for their food, but in American culture it has been twisted into a form of guilt-driven extortion.

Mail-men, cashiers, or hotel maids make at the least three times what a server does. Servers make $2-4 an hour, and it is an understood part of etiquette for persons with BRAINS that tipping is a part of the rate of dining out. Although through definition a tip is certainly not legally required, and its quantity is on the discretion of the buyer being served, in some instances failing to give an enough tip when one is anticipated may be regarded very miserly, a violation of etiquette, or unethical.

You tip because servers live off their tips. Also, they pay out a percentage of your check total (typically 3% of your total) so if you don't tip your server they have to pay money to wait on you. Also, if you don't tip, and return to the restaurant, you will aquire a reputation as an asshole and never receive good service, and will even be given food that a server would typically reject based on quality. Your server is not just some ******** that brings you things, he is also the quality control checkpoint for the food/beverages brought to your table. If it takes a while for you to receive your food, it is often the kitchen workers' fault, who do not care how fast your food gets sent to your table, as it does not affect their pay. If you receive bad service, tip 15%. If your receive decent service tip 20%. If your server goes above and beyond, tip them extra. If your server brings you something for free on the sly, tip them extra. If you regularly patronize a restaurant, tip well!!!!!

"but with todays economy tipping shouldnt be required"

Well if you're SO POOR, then DON'T EAT OUT. Eating out is a luxury.

That's a nice business perspective but for some reason that's just the restaurant industry standard

In some countries tipping is NOT required, nor at the same % as here in the US, but the price is reflected in the cost of your meal, since their salary is higher. You pay one way or the other. Higher price per entree, or a decent tip to the waiter.

Pay the tip and shut the hell up. I hope you never end up as waitstaff or similar. Then you'll understand. Matter of fact, go get a job for a few months as a waiter and see why their tips are important. It isn't THEIR fault you're cheap. If you don't want to pay a tip, stay home and cook for yourself.

And "with today's economy" that tip is even more important.

We tip all people that we want special treatment from. If someone is handling my food, I want them to be encouraged to impress me. Give me your best and I will make it worth your time.

They get their regular pay check from their boss. That pay gets them to show up every day. They get their real pay from tips. That makes them smile and suggest better things and make sure your happy.

If they all got paid the same, who would work hard ? Go to fast food place and talk to a zombie that works there. They get paid the same amount every day. It it's busy, they work harder. But the quality suffers with no incentive. The incentive to work harder is tips.

We Indian are still under influence of nawab/maharaja era ,and feel better by treating some one lower than once financial strata .This capitalist non sense should stop in democratic country like ours .

If wait staff had a decent wage, then tips would be unnecessary. Unfortunately, they are not paid according to their value. There are other approaches around the world i.e.,a service charge, or higher menu cost. Tipping seems to be a North American accepted construct.

I agree in theory with your reasoning. In practice, I will leave a tip. If you feel strongly about it, I suggest you speak with the manager, or owner of the restaurant. Follow up with a letter. You could also send a letter to the editor, city hall, and get in touch with the Local Business Association. There is no point in taking your anger out on the wait staff. Take it to the ones who can change the way business in conducted.