[Hildy]

I also have been to restaurants with the jerk who orders Drinks, a Steak with Lobster and dessert and wants me , who had a chef salad and Tea to split the tab evenly with him.

Really? Then why are you friends with this "jerk?" And if you don't think tipping is "essential" like Barry said, you shouldn't go to restaurants, and please don't argue with me. I can't stand people like you. Cheap, cheap, cheap.

[sgtbono2002]

If you are ignorant enough to reward a bad waiter with a tip thats your problem. I go where I like and tip good for good service, If the service sucks so does the tip and it has nothing to do with cheap. You dont even know me and yet you have passed judgement on me, You are the jerk. I dont think I said I was a friend to this jerk who orders big and is too cheap to pay for his own meal. It happens sometimes with acquaintances , It only happens to me once with that acquaintence. If you dont want to argue dont post. I will defend myself from jerks who call me cheap.

[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.