> So, yes, I'm grateful, exceedingly so, if you tip me.
>
> That saying, I'm glad that tipping isn't mandatory in Australia, because I don't expect a Tip if I'm not working to my best.

See, it's not that I don't think servers work *hard.* I'm sure they do. But there are also times where I work hard at my job. I do random clerical-type stuff for a small machine shop. I have to answer phones and take orders from customers (and see that they get shipped). There are days that are *extremely* busy and it's insane trying to get several orders ready for UPS, calling trucks to get them to pick-up by the time we close and answering a phone that's ringing off the hook. Should I be tipped by our customers, even though I never meet them?

I essentially do the same things servers do: take orders and see that they get from one place to another. I also get to deal with complaints people have ("Where's my order? You were supposed to ship it two weeks ago!") and stuff. So why don't I get tipped?

I figure it's because this is what my boss pays me to do. I have few other purposes than to deal with customers. I don't get paid more when we're busy, but then again I don't get paid less when we're not. I just think the whole tipping thing is weird.

Stephen