[sig226]

Do you mean that if you got bad service, the wrong food, watched the waiter stare at you instead of asking if you'd like to order, etc., that you would still tip?

I waited on tables, and I also drove a cab. I wouldn't tip in such a situation. I didn't expect a tip if the kitchen screwed up an order on me, nor if the dispatcher sent me late to a call and the customer was upset at having to wait.

What really got me was New York City restaurants that added a 20% 'gratuity' to their checks. I tip 20 - 25% for good service. The person who demands it gets nothing.

[Hildy]

I've never had service that I deemed to be "untippable." If the service were bad enough that I wouldn't leave a tip, I'd probably just talk to the manager. Be doing the restaurant a favor.