I agree with you on some parts
If I didn't have a good experience, I wouldn't tip either. However, if you had a pleasant enough evening I consider it quite mandatory to tip, and not just because I work as a waitress myself. It doesn't have to be much, I appreciate a single pound, it's just some sort of token of appreciation.

And although I'm probably not making a good case for my own theory at the moment, we don't actually *need* tips here in Belgium, if you work in a decent restaurant you get an okay wage, obviously it isn't great, but I make quite a nice amount of money (definitely for a 19-year old) due to the 50-60 hour weeks I put in every week.
(St. Dymphna, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 15:57, 2 replies)

i always tip
whether the amount is risible or celebratory depends on the service.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 16:03, closed)

But why do you consider it mandatory?
This is what I'm getting at. I could sit here and list 5000 jobs, with a lot of customer contact, where you go to work, get paid and nobody tips you. This is fairly standard in the world of work.

As I said, I will tip for exceptional service but not apart from that. If I get the slightest hint that the waiter is expecting a tip I won't tip. It's a bonus for being really good at your job that should be accepted as such, not something you should view as standard.
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 16:19, closed)

cos ive been there and done that and it makes a difference to a persons life
same as im always nice to people in call centres cos ive been there done that.

I used to tip cab drivers but then they got greedy.

I always tip food delivery dudes as well cos they deliver quicker if they know you're a tipper - this theory can be applied also to any service industry.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 16:26, closed)

I've been there and done that (the waiting, not the call centres)
And when I did it I didn't expect tips, I considered them a nice bonus from nice customers who I'd served well.

I also didn't take 25 minutes to bring the first round of drinks over when there's more staff than customers in the place, deliberately overcharge people in the hope they wouldn't notice, start clearing the table before everyone had finished, or pick my nose in front of the customers.

Yes, it's a service industry, I will tip for good service!
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 16:31, closed)