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Just to be clear, everything from that third paragraph and down was my own personal speculation and insights on the issue, not my own opinion. I did not grow up as a minority, I am not in any way a part of or in agreement with the american black culture I described there. I'm not even sure how accurate it is, I could be way off base with that. It's just what I think might be going on with the whole blacks under tipping thing.
Again, not my opinion. I've hailed less than 5 cabs since I've been here, and I had no trouble doing so. And my only real concept of "the system" and "the man" is what I've heard from others.
To answer the rest quickly before I go to bed:
I feel guilty because I know that generally, a waiter deserves a tip. And so I do what I can. Doesn't make it my job to do so, it makes me a decent person.
I tip 20% more often than I tip 0, so it doesn't average out to 10%, if that's what you were thinking. Especially these days now that I'm making than I was a few years ago, I rarely undertip. But it does still happen occasionally, and I'm okay with that. But yes, I would consider it okay to tip 20 and then 0. Anyone whose average tip percentage falls into the positive is already doing more than he has to, and should be commended for it.
I don't blame waiters for anything, they're innocent. They have it tough, and it's okay to bitch about how few tips you get, everyone bitches about their job, and theirs is harder than most. I'm convinced that they deserve tips, I'm just not convinced that the customer owes it to them.
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