Here in WA state, the minimum wage per hour is $15.74 (higher in some areas). Tipping culture says 20%, but that’s generally to support lower paid waitstaff in areas that can pay less than minimum wage by employers. Where/What are you tipping and what kind of service would you expect for a 20% tip?
True, but it’s the employer’s responsibility to compensate their staff, not the customer’s. If everyone is getting tips, then they’re worthless since they’ll have to pay 20% more for everything when they spend those tips. Tipping lets employers pretend a job is well compensated when really they’re paying the absolute minimum. It needs to change. Customers shouldn’t be guilted into worrying about the livelihood of the cashier when they just want a bottle of water from the gas station.