Tipping

I am just so fed up with tipping!

I know it is not a city in China, and I understand that TIPS stands for "To Insure Proper Service".  But why must everyone have his or her hand out, and why do more and more professions believe that they are entitled to a gratuity?

Yes the restaurant industry depends upon the generosity of its patrons, but realistically why do tips exist.  The restaurant owners save on the salaries they pay their employees, and pass that cost on to the consumer, the quid pro quo I guess is that it lowers the actual food costs.  So I accept that a waiter getting paid $2.50 an hour needs my gratuity to survive, and I have no problem with that.

What I have a problem with is every other service industry employee thinks that they are entitled to a tip.

The other night I went to one of those self-serve yogurt places that are popping up like a plague all over the place.  You walk in, you pick up an empty cup off of a stack, and then serve yourself your yogurt, as much or as little as you want.  Then you go over t their toppings bar, and place your own toppings on your yogurt.

You bring your cup to the register, YOU place it on the scale, then an employee tells you how much it costs and you pay them.  To my shock and surprise, there was a tip jar at the register.

Why is a tip suggested or even expected?

I served myself, they did nothing but take my money!  Now I wouldn't have a beef if they were making below minimum wage, like a waiter, but they are not, they believe that because they are in a food industry, a tip is warranted.  What's next, do I have to tip the toll collector for taking my money before I cross the bridge?

Has the culture of tipping gone to far?  I believe it has.