Daniel_

I'm sorry - I have to take issue with this.

I worked for a couple of years in retail - all the shit of food service but nobody gave me a present if they really liked the way I got their cans of soup.

I worked part time in a nursing home as a student to pay my way - nobody gave me a gift because I was really good at wiping their liquid shit from their chair.

Food service is not the only service industry.

Why do people in food service think they automatically DESERVE a present?

I think my pay could be better, but if I insisted that my customers pay a 15% service charge for the honour of buying from me, I'd be in prison for corruption.

To answer the OP, I tip for good service - I add about 10% if it was good. But my choice of what is good may not be the same as yours - if you hassle me (as all US waiters that ever served me did) about refills or send five people to ask if I'm enjoying my meal - you get less, or none.

I add my tip to the cheque/card - that way it can be honestly shared through the kitchen staff etc.

If I'm in a dine & dash mood, I expect rapid no frills service, and I expect to pay what's on the menu.

If it's obligatory that we all pay 15%, and 25% for great service, then put the frigging prices up on the menu.

If your pay sucks, leave the job and as an earlier person has posted - learn to type.

I worked hard to get a job that is not on minimum wage, if you are in a crappy job, work hard to better yourself.

I sympathise, and if you do a really good job, I'll be generous - but it's not automatic.

You know the name for a gift you cannot choose to ignore? A tax.

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Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
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