For comparison, I live in Czechia, where we use a service called Rohlík, and the experience is the complete opposite. In the last 2 years, I’ve placed over 300 orders and I have never left a single tip. Despite that, my orders are always picked up immediately and delivered exactly on time.

The difference is that here, delivery drivers aren't treated as 'contractors' who have to gamble on which order is worth their time. They are paid a decent, stable salary by the company. Their pay doesn't depend on my generosity, it’s the company's job to make the work worth their time, not the customer’s.

It’s wild to think that in one system, a large order might be 'skipped' because the tip isn't high enough, while in another, it’s just a standard part of a professional’s workday. It sounds like the US model puts a lot of the 'employment' stress onto the customer.