I've paid my dues. I started life poor as dirt. I've worked low wage jobs including fast food and other service jobs. I worked hard without having the expectations of receiving a tip. Growing up on a farm, I worked my tail off for my family to survive. I knew what hard work was all about without any pay for it. All this enticed me to further my education at whatever sacrifice. So don't even play the card that I don't understand. Last month I saved our company over $100k. I didn't get a bonus or even a thank you, but I get to keep my job which pays my bills and that is good enough. It's what I am paid to do.
With that said, I do tip for service at sit down restaurants. It is because I know their wage is adjusted to compensate for tips which I think is totally wrong in our system and that most are college kids trying to get by. If I owned a restaurant I would adjust service wages based on their productivity. Work harder and keep people coming back, I would pay you more of an hourly wage . Pretty simple concept for those with a drive to them. Make me $$ and I will make you $$. I understand not all business owners think of it that way.
Oh, I did tip my trash pickup guy the other day because he went above and beyond picking up some of my trash that the neighborhood dogs scattered. That wasn't his job, but he did it above and beyond his expected job therefore I rewarded him.
The one that really bothers me is tipping a hair stylist. They went to school to do that job knowing their income potential. Way I figure it, they make $20 for cutting my hair in 15 minutes. That's $80 per hour if they hump and get it. I for one would love to have the opportunity to make that much per hour. Why tip them?