User post: Off the mark.....

I was once a waiter and it is not possible to forget the fact that tips varied not only by the familiarity of the diner to tipping, but also the general cultural background.

Some people from some countries almost never tip or the tip is around 5%.

I tip according to the service and where I am eating. I cannot forget serving 20 people and getting a $5.00 tip - time after time from certain groups.

Yes  - it is very unfair to the person serving if they happen to be an exception, but I am also an exception to the the automatons that tip 20% to everyone - even for less than excellent service.

In some restaurants I give a heafty 5-10% for great service and in others 25%.

I often give well over 20% if I am sitting at a cafe having coffee and talking with friends but we don't really order much. Great service but only say a $10.00 bill. I might leave a 50% tip.

I try to leave a 20% tip at most Buffets. Most people don't leave tips at buffets and the workers make next to nothing. Often I give the bus-person the tip directly as I know the wait people generally don't give the bus people a nickle at buffets (I am well aware that in most other restaurants the wait staff is required to give the bus staff a portion of their tips) I tip the buffet waiters as well - sometimes at the cashier up front.

I have no problem leaving a $5.00 tip for a $400.00 meal if the service is lousy - I know few people that can do such a thing. Yet they can go to a buffet and leave a mess all over the place - ask for countless bits of service, have their kids climbing the walls and leave no tip at all - it does not even occur to them.

Rules are meant to be broken - they are pedestrian and foster unconsciousness.