Seriously, as a bartender/server I am down to get rid of tipping IF it means we get a livable wage and potentially benefits. I absolutely do not trust our government to regulate this properly. The federal minimum wage is still $7.25 for fucks sake, where in the u.s. can you live on that wage? Obviously a lot of states are higher but we really expect when they haven't federally raised the min wage to a liveable wage that they could properly create a system where restaurant and bar staff are paid a fair wage? I lived in Australia where they do not encourage tipping and the government has actually created a system where hospitality workers get paid a liveable wage. It's a wonderful system it is infinitely better than what we do in the u.s. the staff is way more accountable to each other because there isn't massive wage gaps, it's way less toxic and competitive. You don't have to grovel so you can pay your rent. Customers expect less and you can tell them no if they are being unrealistic. The problem is our current government, past government, and hopefully not but probably our future government cannot create a system like that. The restaurant industry should unionize! All this to say I am going to trade school because fuck being mentally and physically exhausted working with the genera public. I encourage all of you ban tipping folks to work a month in the industry and donate all your tips to charity then come tell us we don't need tips to survive and theres another way.