Originally Posted by
thegeneral
"It is like tipping at McDonald's because they hand you the food from the warmer..."
Oh really? Does the counter person greet you when you sit? Go over in detail your food options? Does the server know how to treat you based on what the setting is for you (ie. first date, date for married couple of 20 years, business dinner, etc)? Does the counter person know exactly what each person at your table ordered? Do they bring the food to you? Do they time the food service to go along with what your expectations are? Are they going to be able to advocate for you if something goes wrong?
Does the server at an open bar?
If you think about it he does nothing of what you just mentioned, so why tip him as high as if he did? (Note that I said "as high", not "at all"
)