Tipping should be abolished in the online world as well as in the real world. People who serve, regardless if it's just online or in a real restaurant, expects to be given some money for their job. So why not just declare a fixed fee for their services. So that people who use the service know how much he has to really pay and the server does not expect a random tip. Not to mention, if the tip was really small (or no tip at all), they will be mad.
Have you worked in a restaurant before? You get the worst verbal abuse in the service industry from people who think they know best, but seldom do. You have to take their shit day in and day out, without losing your temper. You spend many hours on your feet, running around to pleasure other people and most restaurant owners exploit their workers and pay them minimum wages.
I always tip 10% and much more, when the service was good, because I was in their shoes when I was still a student and working in restaurants for some spending money. I also paid for my own education and books, from my second part-time job.
I rarely tip. I much prefer it if the restaurant charges a service fee. It's very seldom that one receives excellent service nowadays and yet they always expect a tip. When you make it a point not to leave one,(to express your dissatisfaction)you'd even hear them grumble sometimes.
Is it too much to ask that they do their jobs properly? They
are being paid for their work.
And no, I have never worked in a restaurant before, nor have I ever turned to verbally abusing my servers. I have, however, a time or two, reported some to their managers when the service was just too deplorable.
I dunno, maybe it's just that tipping isn't too much a part of our culture, unlike in the US where it's almost a requirement that you
always leave a tip. Woe to you if you do not. heh
As for the subject, based on my point of view and experience,
If I wanted to earn/hoping to get some money then I would charge a fee.
If I were truly just offering the service/product/etc for free and wasn't really expecting to get anything then I'd just include a tipping address.
It'll just be a pleasant surprise if I get a tip, if not, then it's no biggie since it wasn't required/expected in the first place.
