cyrnel

They do a better job keeping rats & flies out of the pastry cabinets?

Seriously though, I agree. Tipping is engrained in society at many levels (exec bonuses, political contributions, payoffs) yet much exists without written rules and so can be difficult to understand. It's often associated with underhandedness: Unreported, untaxed, undocumented.

Kutulu, remember that people ordering are generally presented with advertising that says "free delivery" (or $1/2/3...) That's the expectation, along with an assumption that the merchant compensates the delivery people in some way. The reality is at the borders yet the consumer has to learn through nudging or word-of-mouth.

I would be more comfortable if ads said something like "be sure to tip the delivery dude. We don't pay squat." Won't happen though, so just as with in-restaurant food service, establishments will continue to pay the minimum to attract people who assume their next paycheck is based on charity. And we have to pay or risk "bonus toppings." Is doesn't surprise me people are often resistant to the concept.

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There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195