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Comment by usaphp | Hacker News Reader

> it’s the same with tipping

Nowadays it’s even more ridiculous with payment terminals all set to 15%, 20%, 25% options and to tip $0 you have to go to “custom amount” and type 0. The most idiotic part about it is that most of the places that use this practice provide no service at all! You pick your food! You clean after yourself! What are you tipping them for???

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Over the last five years or so I've noticed this movement where restaurants think it's cool to make the customer do the work. Wait in line and order, no table service, then walk to pick up your own food cafeteria style and finally to top it off bus it to the trash. Add to that have they charge you the same prices that a table-service restaurant would AND have their payment terminals setup as you describe. So I ask myself every time I unfortunately find myself in one of these restaurants, why would I tip for doing all the work? If I do tip, who is receiving the tip? I'm guessing it's not the people doing the work, i.e. the kitchen staff.

This isn't because it's "cool." It's a side effect of higher wages in some cities. Restaurants can only raise prices so much, so they find ways to get by with less staff instead.

But I somewhat prefer this way, actually, since you can leave quicker.

I haven't heard of any cases where the money doesn't go to staff, have you? That seems rather illegal.

Amy's Baking Company

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvc_BfG45VU

Agree with the point about tipping. As for why this is happening see https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/25/dining/san-francisco-rest...

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