Understandable. I hate those types. Average tip is typically 15% and they go on about how their god gets 10% so why should you get 15

A lot of waiters get paid less than minimum wage because they are expected to get tipped.

they'll go to hell

Appropriate tipping is NOT mandatory, but then again, neither is using a napkin instead of your sleeve or the tablecloth to wipe your mouth while eating. It is called etiquette. As a former server, I understand how damaging to the bank account(not to mention the self esteem) it can be to get either a sub par or non existent tip. Especially if you either gave great service or the service was bad through no fault of your own. Most customers take it out on the server when something goes wrong, but a lot of times it is shooting the messenger. Your food was cold, made wrong or took too long? Yes, it may have been your server's fault. But it could have also been 1) the kitchen got behind 2) the kitchen is short staffed 3) another server took the wrong food 4) they ran out of something and had to prep more....the list goes on. Are any of those people getting their check docked because of it? No. You are docking the server. Do some servers have a bad attitude? Yes. Should some servers choose another job because they aren't very good at it? Yes. But guess what? There are those in every facet of life. I agree, if you get crappy service, your tip should reflect that. HOWEVER, try to keep in mind that MAYBE your server did everything within their power to give you good service. The restraunts COULD pay more per hour, but that would mean either higher prices for the meals and/or less servers (or both). Less servers not only means less jobs but also means that you can forget getting good service at all since they will be stretching the staff over more tables. I don't serve any more, but loved my job and I was good at it so you can quit thinking we all have bad attitudes. You can also stop looking down on servers. They are servers, not indentured servants. While I was doing that job, there were many college graduates that couldn't find jobs due to the economy, students trying to get through college, single parents working two jobs to stay off welfare, and some of us just really enjoyed doing it. I'm sure that not much has changed since then. If you don't believe in tipping then pick a place where it won't be expected (etiquette wise). Otherwise, you are taking up a table that could present the oppurtunity for the server to earn a living. I remember one Christmas (when my oldest was thankfully too young to remember) I got all of his presents from the toy aisle at Walgreen's on Christmas Eve after work. We were struggling to make ends meet back then and that was the only way to give our son a Christmas. If everyone were of the "I don't tip because______" mind, my little boy wouldn't have HAD a Christmas. You may want to think about that next time you stiff the server "on principle".

The idea that servers are paid less than minimum wage and rely on tips is so alien to me. In the UK you have to pay your employees minimum wage - that's the definition of a MINIMUM wage. If it's not mandatory, then it's not really a minimum wage. I feel for servers in the US; never realised you guys don't get a proper wage. That needs to change.

This is something that I've learned to question since living outside the United Stated. Leaving a tip is an American custom and I just think we/ yall need to adopt the rest of the worlds policy on this. That it is a nice gesture but should not be expected or needed.

Glad here in the UK we have freedom of choice whether to tip or not if you don't want to. Good/great- service well deserved tip Bad service- not even a penny is deserved!

You choose to have the car payment. Don't complain about receiving money when you stupidly choose to buy a car you can't afford.

your work needs to implement a minimum 18% gratuity for parties of 8 or more.

Ummm... How is working your ass off providing good service NOT trying to help yourself? Please enlighten me, I'd live to hear this.