In this podcast episode, James dives into the complex world of tipping and gratuities, examining them from a philosophical lens. He explores the various facets of tipping, such as fairness, equity, and power dynamics between customers and service staff. The discussion reveals how tipping often relies more on ingrained social norms rather than genuine merit or performance. James also highlights the flaws in the system, like the unequal distribution of tips and how they sometimes act as coercion rather than voluntary gestures of gratitude. This episode encourages listeners to rethink the traditional tipping model prevalent in many hospitality settings.