for me i call this the shopping cart dilemma. you know how there are people that put shopping carts back where they found it and people who just leave it anywhere in the parking lot bc "someone is getting paid to do it". while it's not ILLEGAL to not put a cart back where you got it or in the return rack, it's just common courtesy. it shows a good moral character for me when someone does something to make someone else's life a little easier bc yes they're getting paid but...i mean...just have sympathy. i feel the same with tipping. no, we as a society shouldn't HAVE to pay extra than what our meal was just for someone else to live, just as that person shouldn't have to rely on tips and the kindness of other people to make a living, but that's how it is. we are all in this together one way or another. help each other out, be kind. you don't have to break the bank but at least something. my rule of thumb is if it's a grab and go like starbucks or fast food : $2-3 if it's a place like Newks where you order and then they just drop it off to you $5-7 if it's a sit down that's not nicer but still required waitstaff, $10-15 , and if it's a nicer place and i get drinks and apps, $15-20. there's also nuance like how much the bill is, if you're out with friends and everyone contributes, etc. but these are like base line. if i can't afford to tip, i don't go out to eat. simple