It would be nice if tipping was just gone, and everybody got paid a living wage, like in most of the rest of the world. We're in a Nash equilibrium right now where if you don't tip, you're an asshole. Other people might even tip more if they hear about it, which reinforces the status quo. So I keep tipping well, and disliking that we're stuck here.
How can we end tipping culture and just have everyone be paid a living wage?
I'll tip at a restaurant where I'm seated, someone takes my order, brings me my food, and clears my table. If I have to order at a counter or do any of the above it's not a place I'll typically tip.
At McAlister's the other day I went in and say down, pulled up their app on my phone to place my order, and that's when I noticed they had removed the table numbers, so you can't use the app to place an order. I went to the counter and the lady taking my order was in training, however they weren't really training her. She had to stop someone and ask how to do every little thing. The register next to me had 4 people go through it in the time it took her to take my simple order. The whole time I'm thinking how much easier this would have been using the app. Finally, the order is in and I pay with my card, and it asks for a tip. The options are 15% 20% 25% [Other]. I had to actually put 0 in for the tip amount. I won't be going back.
It's important to mention this location doesn't do "table service". The most they do is bring the food to your table. They don't take the order from the table or give you refills.