Should Tipping be Banned?

[Kilgore Trout]

Except that wasn't really what this discussion is about. Of course, in the current system, it is rude not to tip someone who depends upon tips as part of their wages.

The question of this thread is whether that is a good system or whether we should abolish tipping altogether-- and pay people in jobs which tipping is the norm in the way other jobs are payed.

For example, it is not rude or offensive not to tip the phlebotomist after she draws your blood. If we abolished tipping, and payed wait staff, etc, like we pay a phlebotomist, then there would be nothing rude or offensive about not tipping them either.

Pfft - sounds like something a phlebotomist would say.