Originally Posted by kane

I wonder what the situation surrounding that was.

Here is why I say that. If you walk into a place for the fist time, or you only ever go there a few times per year they aren't going to know you or your tipping history so they shouldn't be basing the service they give you on their assumed tip. If they know you then it is a different situation.

Only twice have I had such terrible service that I won't go back to the place. At one place it was everything about the place. The first time we got there, got water and menus and it was 25 minutes before they took our orders and they only did it then when we hunted down someone to take the order. 30 minutes after that we still had no food. We were on our way to a movie so we had to go. As we left the manager apologized profusely and gave us a card worth 35% off our next visit. We gave them another shot. The next time we went in it again took forever to get an order and then the food took forever again. This time we ask our waitress what the delay is and she says in a real snarky tone, "You want me to go back there and cook it for you?" We left again. This time on the way out they explained that our first order got burnt and they were making it again. We didn't care, we just left. The second time was at a place that makes all kinds of good sandwiches. The food is actually really good, but they are notorious for having shitty service. I once didn't leave a tip and once left before my order came and I don't go back there now.

To me, if a person is working for tips they are likely to be more motivated to do a good job. If they know they are getting the same flat wage no matter if they bust their ass and really go the extra mile for you or they just to an average job more people will be likely to just tow the line.