I think bussing a table in a fast food restaurant is good etiquette because McDonalds isn't gonna bother cleaning it up, and it's just going to be on the next customer to clean the space so they can use it.

But it's an etiquette problem that's created by the party who, David is saying, should ultimately be taking that responsibility. You are in a position of accepting their rudeness (of not cleaning your table) and doing it yourself or being rude to another innocent party (leaving it for the next customer). It's a social dynamic, not a rule, but I think I agree.

OTOH, one could argue that there's a tacit agreement being made that the customer will bus my own table in exchange for not paying the extra penny or two for my Big Mac that busboys would add to the cost. And in fact, that's also what I'm doing by supplanting their labor costs regarding waitresses, too. So maybe I don't agree after all.

the same issue as busing your table at McDonald's.

I stopped picking up after myself at movie theaters when ticket prices hit $10. I noticed that's when they started having cleaning crews go in between shows, so I know I'm not leaving a mess for other patrons. However, I do take trays back at fast food places and hang clothes back on the right racks and the right spots at department stores.

It's a social dynamic, not a rule, but I think I agree.

That's exactly it. But they exploit the social dynamic - that you're imposing on the people after you - to save themselves a business expense. But it's their responsibility to maintain the facility.

However, I do take trays back at fast food places and hang clothes back on the right racks and the right spots at department stores.

I'd end up doing this regardless of price. My anal-retentiveness is the restaurant/retailer's best friend.

OTOH, one could argue that there's a tacit agreement being made that the customer will bus my own table in exchange for not paying the extra penny or two for my Big Mac that busboys would add to the cost. And in fact, that's also what I'm doing by supplanting their labor costs regarding waitresses, too. So maybe I don't agree after all.

I think the waitress (or waiter) thing is a good point. Presumably, McDonalds does pay someone to clean the place every night and probably between the big meal time crowds (like at 10:30 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. for example.) Course I don't eat at McDonalds so I could be making that up. But a busboy would just raise the prices on the food, and there are plenty of places you can go to pay more for food and have your table bussed.

That's exactly it. But they exploit the social dynamic - that you're imposing on the people after you - to save themselves a business expense. But it's their responsibility to maintain the facility.

Forget bussing then, what about tipping?

ETA: Not at McD's, but restaurant's with wait staff save a bundle on wages through tips.

Yeah, I don't think McDonald's is passing along the savings to me.

You think so? I think if people at McDonald's suddenly stopped bussing their tables en masse, McDonald's would think long and hard about taking out the tables and becoming a to-go only type of franchise.

I mean, why not, right? Less real estate to take care of; less opportunity for loitering teens; fewer barfing toddlers; and who really stays in a fast food joint anyway? (I never do.)

Forget bussing then, what about tipping?

That's one place where an incentive system is built into the service industry. Except in Paris, where the ass-hat cafe waiters treat you like shit and get an automatic gratuity.

There's no one in the world over whom I have that authority.

Well, that's dissapointing.