[bkepley]

Look I'm a fairly large tipper but no one is required to leave a tip and this waiter probably didn't deserve one. Who the heck is Jeremy Piven?

[doesnt suffer fools gladly]

Look I'm a fairly large tipper but no one is required to leave a tip and this waiter probably didn't deserve one.

Where are you getting that?

[Tx Angel]

If I showed up @ a restaurant w/ 12 people and no reservation -- I'd not only tip well, but I'd most likely forgive the staff if the service was not quite up to par.

[MPJackal]

"but no one is required to leave a tip"

Actually untrue. Most restaurants CHARGE at least 15% gratuity on groups of 8 or more. And most restaurants do not pay the wait staff minimum wage because they rely on tips to more than compensate. I would agree you do not Have to pay a waiter for poor service, but it is a societal norm to tip for good service.

[MarkL]

Look I'm a fairly large tipper but no one is required to leave a tip and this waiter probably didn't deserve one.

If you'd check the Michelin guide, you'll see that the Nobu restaurants are some of the best rated in the world. Getting a job as a waiter there is extremely difficult, and the managers wouldn't put up with anyone of the staff giving anything less than excellent service. Seriously, that sort of tip is an insult, though given the way some celebrities seem to think of themselves, Piven probably thought that he was "giving of himself."

Mark

[fish hawk]

Here on Maui, most all restaurants say right on their menu that seating six or more in a party , 15% tip will automatically be added to their bill.