After working several years in the restaurant business, I couldn't help but chime in.

This story is obviously from a server's perspective:
Needing a summer job, I decided to look into a server position as it is indeed a very adrenaline pulsing activity, plus you meet some really good people who tip nicely for good behavior. However, some patrons can be very miserly.

The restaurant that I worked in was a sushi restaurant that usually attracts families and business people due to the location. (Scottsdale-known for spas and cowboys). I had the opportunity to take care of a family and respectfully led them to their booth. It was a slow day so they were definitely NOT neglected. After serving them, (warm smiles and speedy service, the whole shabang!) I handed them the bill and picked up whatever plates I could off their table.

Here's the peculiar thing, when I came back to retrieve their credit card, I noticed the family of 3 were busy dipping their napkins into their water glass and using them to meticulously clean their counter. A double take from me was definitely out of the question when I'm the server. After I handed them their credit card and their receipt, we said our thank yous and good-byes.

A pen strike through the tip line was all I got and it bewildered me. Did them cleaning their own tables justify not tipping the server? Being fully aware that the customer chooses to tip at all is up to them, I didn't pursue it.

Although, from my perspective, lower-than-minimum-paid wage was for the cleaning and maintenance of the restaurant, psshhh, easy! The hard part is making up for that difference by being a decent server, in hopes that your customer sees that and would reward accordingly.
If I lived in a world where compliments are a currency, it would work but here, I can't buy my next meal with your "thank you!"

You get those days though and in retrospect, it was a bit amusing!