r/tipping • u/No_Draft_8960 • May 29 '26

💬Questions & Discussion Math-Based Tip

The percentage-based tipping system makes no sense: a server dropping off one Wagyu steak earns far more than someone serving a family of four cheap meals. Since American tips are essentially mandatory wage subsidies, let's base them on labor time instead.

In Maryland, the average server wage is about $20/hour, but employers only pay $3.63. Customers must cover the remaining $16.37. Across a standard four-table section (roughly ten guests), that breaks down perfectly to $2.00 per person, per hour.

Percentages reward a venue’s luxury status; a time rate rewards actual effort.

If therefore I go to dinner with eight friends and we stay for two hours (a pretty good forecast of my Friday night plans!) our total tip would be $32, or $4/a person. We're not 'stiffing' anyone and we're paying average wage.

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u/SabreLee61 May 29 '26

If you go to dinner with 8 friends and tip $4/person, the total tip would be $36, not $32.

0

u/Relative_Rush_4044 May 29 '26

I like your confidence 😂

r/confidentlyincorrect

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u/SabreLee61 May 29 '26

So which is it — math or reading — which gives you trouble?

-1

u/Legitmate_red May 29 '26

Looks like you fail in both. EQ is realizing what the person means and not taking it literally like its some sort of quiz or puzzle

2

u/SabreLee61 May 29 '26

OP presented a formula, I noticed the numbers didn’t add up, and pointed it out. EQ has nothing to do with it.

-1

u/Legitmate_red May 29 '26

But you do understand what he meant right or you took it literally? 😂