[Wongboy]

I vote for allowing tipping threads and also adding a sticky. Tipping threads should clearly indicate that they are about tipping.

Here is my rationale - I think that tipping threads invariably turn into flame wars between people who want to force their personal opinion on others (both pro-tip and anti-tip people are guilty of this). It is similar in a way to asking "what percentage of my income should I donate to charity?", or "should I go to church every Sunday?". That being said, I think that there is no harm in allowing tipping threads as long as they are clearly marked as such.

It would also be helpful to have a sticky that explained that tipping is a personal decision, and people have very passionate and very different beliefs on the subject. The sticky should also include a list of some of the more or less accepted norms for tipping all of the various people you might run across during your B&M experience (valets, front desk clerks, maids, waitstaff at restaurants, dealers, chip runners, floor people, etc). You could include a range where appropriate. It would also be helpful to understand who you should NOT attempt to tip (people that cannot accept tips or who might be offended in some way).

This way, if someone is planning their first trip to a B&M, they can get the info they need (from the sticky) to avoid looking / feeling foolish. If people want to try to change other people's personal values about tipping, they can start a new thread that will likely degenerate into a flame war. At least they will have been warned via the sticky.