Is there an inherent reason you tip on the full price?
Yes, theoretically the higher your bill the better time you are having. (Think celebratory events as opposed to a lunch break.)
Is it a tax?
No, it's gratuity. You're showing your appreciation for the staff enabling you to have the best experience possible at that time (in theory).
If tipping is to support staff wages does that mean waiters who serve fancier higher priced food items are entitled to larger wages solely for the fact that their table happened to order a costlier meal?
Serving higher priced food usually means higher caliber of customers, in the tipping sense. For example, patrons of Denny's restaurants might tip well if the coffee refills are on time, but in a finer dining establishment, for example, service requests for something off the menu (like a newspaper) would not be out of the ordinary.
Yes, theoretically the higher your bill the better time you are having. (Think celebratory events as opposed to a lunch break.)
Is it a tax?
No, it's gratuity. You're showing your appreciation for the staff enabling you to have the best experience possible at that time (in theory).
If tipping is to support staff wages does that mean waiters who serve fancier higher priced food items are entitled to larger wages solely for the fact that their table happened to order a costlier meal?
Serving higher priced food usually means higher caliber of customers, in the tipping sense. For example, patrons of Denny's restaurants might tip well if the coffee refills are on time, but in a finer dining establishment, for example, service requests for something off the menu (like a newspaper) would not be out of the ordinary.