What is the reason (historical or other)for why we tip based on cost rather than effort?

Question

I was originally thinking about delivery (isn’t it basically the same effort to deliver 1 or 2 pizzas?). Shouldn’t delivery tipping be based on distance/effort rather than cost of food?

The same goes for restaurants, of course. If I go with a friend and we have the same meal but I have three glasses of wine, and she has three cokes, I am expected to tip more, but the server’s effort is the same for each of us.

Was it always like this or did it change with time?

Note: I’m only trying to understand this aspect of Us tipping culture. I know that tipping isn’t the norm everywhere.

In: 141

Answer 1

Thank you. I thought I was the only one who thought of this. I feel the same way. This is gonna blow up. I always thought it to be silly on price of the meal. I’m not against sharing the wealth..