> Without tipping far too many would take your money for granted and the quality of service would decline across the board because there is zero incentive to provide anything better.
I don't mean to sound flippant but, have you ever been to Europe? I've traveled to Germany, Ireland, Finland, and Iceland multiple times. None of those countries has a tipping culture and the service I receive, even at your basic fast food restaurant, is the same or better than in the States.
I must ask, why do you believe your statement to be true?
Possibly a cultural affect though? His statement could be true for the american context.
In a capitalism steeped melting pot, it does seem like things that might be more commonly 'seen'/appreciated in other cultures - pride in one's work, common standards of politeness, sense of serving/interacting with 'your community' rather than just 'anonymous strangers from other communities' - that could be non-financial motivators for good service elsewhere that are simply missing or too few & far between here.
In Germany a 5-10% tip is customary in (non-self-serve) restaurants and bars. I usually tip taxi drivers about the same percentage, not sure if everyone does it.
I don't mean to sound flippant but, have you ever been to Europe? I've traveled to Germany, Ireland, Finland, and Iceland multiple times. None of those countries has a tipping culture and the service I receive, even at your basic fast food restaurant, is the same or better than in the States.
I must ask, why do you believe your statement to be true?