Originally Posted by
Westcoaster
How about a 2 cent tip? My father was usually a generous tipper so I was surprised when he told me about his experience many years ago in Manhattan on the lower east side. He had absolutely terrible service at a cafe. The waiter was aggressive and very rude throughout the meal. Apparently the guy acted like a real jerk. Dad had eaten in Manhattan many times before and said he'd never seen anyone like this waiter.
When he left the cafe Dad left a tip of 2 pennies on the table. The waiter actually ran out of the cafe and yelled at Dad on the street.
That is a traditional accepted way of telling the waiter his service was atrocious. You don't leave nothing, since then the waiter might think you have forgotten. By leaving 1 or 2 pennies, you show you haven't forgotten, but that the waiter's service was worth only that amount.
Regarding the topic of this thread, "aggressive tip requests," I think we should let non-US people know that this almost never happens. Except maybe in New York. I have NEVER been followed out of a restaurant and asked to increase a tip, even when tipping light at 8-10% for mediocre service (granted, I rarely do that). To visitors, I suggest you just realize that about 12-15% is the usual amount left as tip (if you check some of the waiters websites, they are usually quite complimentary of a 15% tip), up to 20% for nice service, and factor that into the estimated cost of food, which seems inexpensive in the US compared to most of the rest of the Western world right now. It is just a different pricing model.