I don't buy it. I can tell if a joint is packed, and the service might be thinned out between tables, or.....a person simply doesn't give a shit. This job is no different than any other, as far as work ethics go. You have people who do the job, and people who bitch about it, and don't give a damn. If I get stuck with one of them, fuck em!
The wife and I frequent two spots in town. Each of them has one waitress I will NOT let serve us anymore. The first one, is a drunk who just wants to go grab the next drink and a smoke. Fucks up something on our order almost every single time. What am I tipping her for?
The second, is simply a dumbass. Has no clue how to wait a table, and has been doing it for years. She also screws up the orders on a regular basis. I will see people around us sending stuff back, too, so it isn't just my perception.
After many, many times in her section, I finally told the owner, "No more". I didn't want to get the gal in trouble, but I don't need the frustration of feeling stressed out while I am trying to enjoy a night out. And we tipped her 20% all of the time. I finally asked myself, "What the hell am I paying her extra for, when she ruins my night?"
She was the (pardon the pun) tipping point for me deciding that a 15-20% tip is not mandatory. Now, you get what you earn.
