<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by DaDOKin DC:
That is a pretty narrow-minded attitude -- put the blinders on and look at only what you want to look at. The fact of the matter is, in the great majority, waiters do not make a living wage and tips are expected to make up the difference. Now, most people are aware of it, whether they choose to do something about it is another thing.</font>
"Look at only what [he] wants to look at" Of course! He is the customer at a restaurant. He wants to pay for food and drink and expects it to be served competently. He is not concerned with the money problems of the staff. Customers are the only reason service employees are paid anything at all.
I think Rover articulated a completely sensible position. Waiters make the wage they make. Tips of 15% are currently so standard in the US as to be commonplace. If service is bad, of course they deserve less. This should drive the people in and out of the business as appropriate to their service skills.
Tipping is however on its way out in the US, just as it has already departed most sectors in Europe. Thank goodness. Let's pay people a wage (whatever is legal and that is negotiated) and be done with the waitstaff lobby's griping and this constant nickel-and-diming of customers.