I think there might be a theoretical tipping culture that threads the needle of waiters getting a living wage while giving some leeway. Basically: 20% on the total is absurd and a dark pattern for advertising goods below cost; 0% is a hard barrier that can price certain populations out or fails on edge cases.

For example if I walk in with a table full of toddlers I should be socially obliged to tip you for going above and beyond the normal service. If I have a table of well behaved adults I shouldn't be forced to pay the same gratuity for group size. If I do, I'm subsidizing clumsy patrons breaking dishes and making messes.

In a similar vein, ordering something simple and eating quickly shouldn't incur the same payment as chatting for 2 hours while no tables are available. If I'm paying a set price for the implicit use of a table then you damn well better set a timer on the table so I know. All of these variables are impossible to price in and vary wildly with your clientele, which makes tipping an attractive option.

Maybe something like a restaurant enforced hard cap of 5%-10%. Nobody complains about a reasonable company culture of overtime+bonuses, service workers should have the same right to that compensation. Unfortunately, that realistically wouldn't work. Exploitation is baked into our economy, so 0% is our best option.

i consider that the comments are mostly from people outside the USA being whiny something exists here they don't like or understand.