I don't believe that most people tip for the reasons that they claim to. Many people in North America will call you cheap if you don't tip, but are they really tipping because they are so generous?
People say that they tip waiters because waiters make very little money. So as tippers they are being generous. Well waiters are not the only ones who make "very little" money, there are cashiers and many other service people who work JUST AS HARD(yes waiters are not the only ones who work hard), and make just as little money nor are all waiters paid minimum wage. But these self-righteous tippers do not tip other people but waiters. Why is that? Actually, they'll tip taxi drivers who can make lots of money, but not a cashier which some DO make minimum wage. What about restaurant owners who waiters their own business, they can pull in thousands a month, do these people tip them because they "only" make 5 to 6 thousand a month?
The truth is that most people tip because it's part of our culture not our generosity. It is also part of our culture to believe we are nice people and that's why we tip waiters, but it is perfectly OK not to tip other hard working low paying workers.
People who scorn at non-tippers for self-righteous reasons are unconscious hypocrites. They don't mean to be this way but they never gave it any real thought, so they follow the crowd and just do it based on a reason that they never questioned. If you are one of these people who truly think you tip waiters because you are such a nice person, then I am happy for you and those around you. Because starting today you have regained your consciousness and you now realize that not only should you tip waiters, you should also start tipping everyone else who provides you with services, find out that they too make little money, and they too work hard. If you refuse to do that then you are a hypocrite, and you only tip because of culture, not your heart. Oh and please don't tell yourself that the person who just served you makes more than a waiter and so it's OK not to tip, have you asked the cashier you just walked by how much he/she makes or did you just assume that based on one grocery store your friend's friend worked for?
People who truly tip based on generosity will tip everyone equally, not just waiters. It's OK not to tip equally, but just don't call yourself a generous tipper when you are actually just a cultural tipper following the crowd. Do not get genuine generosity confused with your guilt caused by your crowd following mentality.
I am a cultural tipper but I never claimed to be "generous" under the main stream definition, so I don't tip everyone who serves me. I only tip a waiter if I like the service and want to encourage the good work, not just because I'm afraid to look or feel cheap. Nevertheless, I am still just a cultural tipper and I am tipping because it's our culture, not because I am such a "generous" person. I am generous only to people who I know are in need and will use the resources I provide wisely.
Happy tipping
Here is an interesting article about tipping: http://people.howstuffworks.com/tipping.htm
