[rottyguy]

I think it's somewhat insidious in that it forces a confrontation between workers and customers and the benefit goes to the owners. it also gives the impression that the product (lets say food) is 20% less than what is printed. yes I u/d tipping is optional, but it is more or less expected (at least in nyc) and you can be ostracized if you don't participate.

[kennywinker]

It’s not just expected - the servers are not making a living wage without it.

[hedvig]

This should not fall to the patrons. This is the problem of the business model. Remove tipping as an option, price the meals, and pay the employees a wage.

[leetcrew]

over a single pay period, servers are guaranteed minimum hourly wage regardless of tips. if minimum wage is less than a living wage, that's a separate issue that applies just as well to gas station cashiers.