(1) I tip on the overall experience.
(2) I won't eat at a restaurant if they don't take Visa/MasterCard.

I've worked several restaurant jobs and always earned great money but I also went out of my way to provide a pleasant experience.

The waiters’ job is more than just carrying food from the kitchen and setting it on your table. The job entails providing a nice experience and overcoming obstacles. If the silverware is visibly dirty, the waiter should apologize and get a new set. If the food is burned, the waiter should be my advocate with the kitchen staff.

When I receive this type of service from a waiter I usually give a 20% tip. On the other hand I don't feel one bit bad about not tipping. For a waiter to ignore me for a half hour, let my drink sit empty, roll their eyes when I point out crusty growth on the silverware....why be surprised if I don't tip? What if I showed up at my office several hours late, were rude to clients, disappeared for half-hour "smoke breaks" and then wondered why my boss gave me a poor performance review?