[wtwo3]

I'm conflicted on this subject. I totally agree that tipping culture has gotten way out of hand. In my mind the purpose of a tip is to reward good service - a sort of bonus for going above and beyond the minimum job description - however the entire concept of the tip is lost when it's expected of you to tip. It cheapens the experience... I feel I'm no longer tipping on my own accord, I'm tipping because I feel like I HAVE to.

On the flip side, on a personal (and anecdotal) level, I'm fortunate enough to be doing well financially, so I don't mind tipping for a service I receive. An extra couple dollars is probably a bigger gain for those receiving the tip than it is a loss for me.