How much do you usually tip?

[MAL_ONE]

(05-12-2011 10:15 AM)RN-PRN Wrote:  She may have been on the phone, but for what reason? Does she have kids..one of them sick/hurt? Or was she just gabbing with a friend? All depends on the situation.

Usually (having been in customer service myself for 17 years) an employee
should follow this course of action; it's the professional thing to do,
and they'll probably get a bigger tip too ! :-)
"Hey Telephone (name here)"
"Ok, thanks -- can you make sure table such and such gets their
salsa, while I take this?"
It not the first time I'd had to go remind a waiter or go fetch what I
have asked for.

That being said, so many people act like they deserve a tip just
because they are doing their job; but tipping is for a service industry.
The better the service, the better the tip; we all know that.
I've had waiters tend to me right and left, and others just left after
the food is dropped off. Then return with the tab and ask how everything
was (well, I woulda liked to get a little more water while I was eating,
but now that my food is cold,,, I guess I'll just take it home)
Like I've said before, here in California, most food servers are getting a
wage (at least minimum) in addition to their tips.
If we continue to tip inspite of subpar service, what message are we
sending those in the industry? (Don't give me good service,you'll still get
your tip !)
At what point is it ok not to tip?