Like it or not most wait staff are not even paid minimumn wage by restaurant owners. I've read many message boards on this issue and invariably someone says, "Well, let the owners pay them a reasonable wage and don't expect me to subsidize their expenses."

Then, someone else chimes in with, "but the owners would simply pass the cost onto the consumer."

Or, maybe a wait staffer will post a bit about how hard s/he works. Then, some one (usually these guys post in all caps) will tell the wait staff poster to finish school and get a REAL JOB !!!!!!!!!!!!

And, of course, we all know that many people get through school as wait staff.

However, even though we all could figure out a better system. We exsist in the one we have. Wait staff in the USA are expected to report tips that bring their pay up to at least minimumn wage whether they receive that amount in tips or not. What this means --- blunt and ugly--- is that if you do not tip the wait staff is actually paying to wait on you. Think about it. You don't tip and waiters must pay tax on a higher income than they have.

It's sickening.

So, I always always tip. Sometimes I leave a small tip if the service is really bad. However, I never penmalize the wait staff over food I dislike --- wait staff have no control over the food. If you don't like the food, complain to the manager about it, lay the blame on the cook --- who even in low priced restaurants is paid quite a bit more than the wait staff.

Now, if you frequent a restaurant often and have a "good tipper" reputation you will usually recieve incredible service. If you've never experianced it, try tipping really well at a place you visit often. You will be amazed at the level of service that is extended to a customer that always shows appreciation.

Another thing I've gleaned from message boards is that many people feel that cannot afford to go out to eat and tip well. I think they need to reassess their situation --- maybe try a less pricey restaurant. If you have to be tight with the wait staff to stick within your budget you really are in a place that is too expensive for you.

While I am petting my peeves --- couples who use coupons should tip as if they paid full price for the meal --- the wait staff worked every bit as hard to serve you. If you derive some strange glee from figuring out a tip down to the last penny to insure you don't over tip I suspect that you simply are not really nice.

That goes double for food critics who are comped a meal by a restaurant owner and don't tip the server. I cannot publically say what needs to be said about that practice.

In essence --- some one, I forget who, once said, "Someone who is nice to you and rude to the wait staff is not a nice person."

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