It's a sign of respect in the US. I usually tip because, if I were on the other side of the counter, I'd want to receive that extra tip.
A lot of service workers are underpaid, and I think companies emotionally manipulate customers to make up the difference with tips. I don't want to punish the employees for the misdeeds of their employers, though.
Honestly, I'm not sure what the answer is.
I was a waitress for a while and we don't tip in Aus. Minimum wage was sufficient to let me plan my finances. A liveable minimum wage might be the answer, I guess it might also push up the cost of eating out.
California does this. They keep raising minimum wage, which increases cost of living and prices out the minimum wage employees.
Two separate things:
Financial crises and the collapse of the USD as a global reserve currency taking down many other western fiat currencies, meaning many people are struggling in all kinds of industries. This is the movement of wealth and power from the west to the east and hopefully the establishment of Bitcoin as a new global reserve currency. The other option is the CBDC Yuan.
Tipping: The US and Japan are both extreme cases. Tipping should do what it says on the label. If you've had a good experience you optionally give more money. If your experience is normal or bad, you don't. The server is not dependent on the tip for their income and so it is a nice surprise when they receive it, but it is unexpected.
