I don't live in a tip culture (not in America), and things seem to move along just fine. There's no shortage of people eating out in restaurants, nor a shortage of wait-staff working there..
That's not the point I was making. The point I was making was if you are so offended by the idea of tipping imagine that:
* If we didn't tip, these experiences cost 20% more. (We can't know whether that's the right number or not, but I think it's a good place to start)
* Now just apply 20% to your check and go on about your day.
This is legitimate advice for a person baffled by tipping -- just pay 20% more and move on. If we lived in a world where that waiter got paid a meaningful wage, that's what you'd be paying.
