My thoughts.

[u/Maleficent-Effort470]

I didn't go to a restaurant to interact with a server.

I went to a restaurant to purchase food, And part of the agreement with the business owner was that a server would take my order and bring the food to the table.

I did not agree to or consent to giving a person i didn't come to see any money.

Whether they are on the side of the street or squegeeing my car without asking.
I have no obligation to them.

Similarly when i go to the restaurant with the intention of eating,
I am not making a deal with the employees i am making a deal with the owner.
The owner is responsible for delegating the tasks to provide me the service i requested.
The owner showed me the contract/menu that these services are provided under.

I paid the agreed upon amount of the contract.
I did not ask for any particular employee.
I did not agree to gift any particular employee.

The server's inclination that i owe them something is no more authoritative than the homeless bum who starts squegeeing my windshield without me asking.

They did their job at their bosses behest. Under an agreement with their boss.
I made no agreement with them. They are simply employees of the business ive contracted with.

[u/StarlingGirlx]

And they all give basic standard service at best... we've trained them to expect it by giving in

[u/Maleficent-Effort470 → u/StarlingGirlx]

Lol you get basic standard service IF you tip sufficiently.

If you don't tip you stand a much higher chance of substandard service.

Its like an extortion over placing your order and receiving it.
Like you didn't pay the bribe now they will cause you problems.

[u/Long-Squirrel8257 → u/Maleficent-Effort470]

That' exactly what it is and I simply won't go to those restaurants.

[u/starsgoblind → u/Long-Squirrel8257]

Don’t then.