Should You Tip Less in a Recession?

I have no problem with tipping IF I CHOOSE TO, but I don't think anyone has a right to expect me to. I work in a dept store and I make just a little above minimum wage. I can't put a tip jar at the end of the check out line to make up for what I'm not receiving in my paycheck. Why is it only waitresses and waiters that get tips? If they get tips, everyone in the service industry should get tips. Personally, I feel the restaurants are taking advantage of the customers. They hire people, work them to death, and then expect the customers to pay them while they bank all the money? If we pay the restaurant, then they should pay their employees, not us!! This is when I tip: 1) If I chose to 2)IF if I have a few extra dollars 3) Something about the waitress/waiter impresses me, PERIOD! I don't tip because it's a rule or because they're underpaid. Hell, we're all underpaid!! I tip about 50% of the time I go out and the other 50% I don't, because, it's MY CHOICE! And I sleep very well at night when I don't!!

ALICE of VA 7:39PM December 12, 2009