Funny the differing opinions on this. IMO, doing your job does not justify a tip. No. Doing your job very well, then yes. Just because you are a waiter/waitress whatever, does not qualify you for a tip. Reward for disrespect or bad service? nope. I don't care if that's how they make their living. They chose the job, period. People don't deserve rewards for every little thing, just like kids don't. That's what has gotten society to where it's at today. Lower work ethic because of participation trophies, tips just to tip, happy feel good crap. Do the job well and you will be rewarded! Just like in sports! And trashing a team or anything like that is not something a waiter should be discussing outloud! Almost every job you have to be careful what you say and where/when. It's no different. That's disrespect. I wouldn't have tipped the guy either. Not a penny.
OK,
Although this isn't really relevant to the BR situation, I have to correct you .
Tipping is not a "surprise bonus" for being a super-dooper exceptional server. In America certain professions are exempt from minimum wage laws because there is an
expectation of some level of tipping. People would not take those jobs at those wages without that expectation.
I'm not saying that you should always tip. Poor service deserves poor tipping. The whole point is to provide an incentive for exceptional service. That being said, 15% is a standard amount for tipping in America for professions in which they are allowed to pay below minimum wage. That means that if the service is
good (not blow-your-mind excellent), you are obliged to give somewhere near 15%.
If you
routinely give less than that, you should reconsider the restaurants you frequent. You are obviously unhappy with their service. Either that or you are too cheap to be eating at sit-down restaurants.