It always feels weird as an outsider observing American culture about how accepting and expecting tips is not seen as dishonorable or shameful over there. The power dynamics in tipping are the same as those of someone tossing change to a beggar. How do working people suffer this instead of just putting a static value to their labor?
> The power dynamics in tipping are the same as those of someone tossing change to a beggar.
Perhaps not a beggar who does nothing. But there are beggars around here who will provide services. There are buskers playing guitars, violins and drums, with the case open to accept cash. (Or Stripe, if they're savvy.)
There are also dudes who will run up to your vehicle at a stoplight, wash some windows and squeegee them, before you even know what's going on, and then you're supposed to offer some money for the valuable service you just received.
I've also seen dudes who will, like "keep an eye on your bike" while I'm in the restaurant. Is that a valuable service or a protection racket?
I most certainly do. I am from India and I can wager all that I have that American workers, or even the American unemployed are wayy better off than their counterparts in India. But that's not the point.
India also has massive degrees of unemployment and poverty, and probably the largest population of beggars. It still doesn't dignify tipping and begging, let alone put the onus of disgrace on customers who don't tip.
