Originally Posted by
cbn42
Well it has happened both ways. At least twice (that I can think of) in the last few years, I have decided to leave a minimal tip of around 10% due to extremely poor service, and been stopped at the door by the server on the way out. One was near Los Angeles and one was in a small town.
I also saw a server (or manager?) lecture another customer once on tipping. I don't know if the reduction was justified or not, but this one seemed to be getting heated so we quickly paid our check and left.
As others have posted above, that does point up the irony that presents itself when a "voluntary" payment is considered a "right" by the employee, who may in fairness is getting a low wage which the tips are supposed to balance out.
I've certainly heard of such episodes, and it can even happen to Americans in Europe, IMHO when the person providing a service expects (demands?) a big tip because the tourist is an American. For example, I've experienced unpleasantness on two occasions - with taxi drivers both in Barcelona and Naples.