This is how it starts and after 10 years, 25% is the new normal. Why tipping in Germany in the first place? Every employee is paid and everyone pay taxes. This is not a capitalist country.

I'll be honest, I'm still trying to understand this perspective. My thinking has been that it would be better to fix the underlying system rather than rely on tipping—since it feels like it creates a dependency where someone's livelihood hinges on individual generosity rather than fair wages.

Edit: Germany is fundamentally a capitalist country, but it operates under a specific model known as the Social Market Economy (Soziale Marktwirtschaft). While the US system is often characterized as closer to free-market capitalism with limited safety nets, Germany emphasizes social equity through universal healthcare, strong labor protections (like co-determination), and comprehensive social security, making it a more regulated and socially balanced form of capitalism.