Originally Posted by
Pretzelsandpeanuts
You are visiting here, you, therefore, should follow the customs of this country. And when peoplevidit the znetherlands, which i have done, we should follow the customs there. How is that difficult to understand?
Thing is, you seem you want to force me and other foreigners to adjust. I on the other hand respect different cultures and that they might be unknowledgeable/uncomfortable with the culture of the country they are visiting. Therefore I do not want to mandate all visitors to act like locals if they don't feel like it. I don't care if you act like a local here as long as it's within my law. If I am not required to do anything, I will not if I am uncomfortable with it or simply do not agree with it.
I principally refuse to pay by standard if service is not proper. If service is exceedingly well, I tip more. If service is good/standard, I round up the sum. I do not work with percentages because with large sums that is ridiculous for me.
You should deserve a tip and it seems that it has become so standard for people, they also feel entitled when they have given bad service. In that case I'd rather spend my money elsewhere and forget about an arrogant service provider who can't even provide basic, courteous service.
Originally Posted by
nkedel
While you are within your rights to behave that way, the point you end up making is not "this would have been a gesture of a appreciation and you've blown it," but rather "I'm a cheap (insert epithet here)."
Tipping is a customary and expected part of the cost of dining in here; there's a lot of room to argue exactly how much is appropriate, and room to "show your appreciation" by exceeding (or not, or being lower than that), but in the end if you don't tip at all (at a full service sitdown place) you are just being a free rider.
If you really want to send a message, complain to the waiter (or better yet, call over the manager to complain), and then leave a conspicuously subpar tip (rather than none.)
If service is standard or better, I certainly tip. But leave that and the amount up to me and don't force it upon me. I find that insulting and demeaning. As if I am not able to myself and they have to tell me to.
If service is below par, I don't tip.