Tipping is optional. People who run cafes and restaurants are jerks who don't want to pay their help a proper wage and expect customers to make up the difference on top of paying for the food. They only seem to run this scam in America. Speaking of America, if you're the best little waitress in the state and your wages don't reflect that, how about you find a job where they respect that enough to pay you for it instead of leaving you at the mercy of the public?

this is a repeat.

I thought your experience was well-told.

Well, that stinks, but so do you (apparently), and so does this supposed FML. YDI.

YDI, you smelled bad and probably made them uncomfortable. I'm not going to tip if the waiter/waitress made me feel uncomfortable. Get over it and start wearing deodorant

If the service was still good why not tip? Oh so I gave you good service and you didn't want for anything and just because I stunk I don't get a tip???? Good lord grow up and be what is called a kind person. Pay me for the good service and then write me a note to let me know about the body odor. Maybe then I could use that tip and buy some perfume!!!! Maybe nobody has ever told him he stinks and yes there are some people who just don't smell it on themselves. I use to know a person that had a body odor and took two showers a day. It had something to do with her body chemistry and not because she was dirty. So I guess we just kick her to the curb and let her be a homeless person because even though she works really hard and gives great service she doesn't get the tip just because she stinks. Wow what a wonderful world we live in. I'm so proud.

Why were you only HALF expecting a tip? That's your income. Work harder.

Just to clear some stuff up here: Tipping is NOT mandatory---as in it's not a law. It's not required and you're not going to jail if you don't tip. It's a gesture of appreciation for the service provided: someone else cooking your food, someone else bringing it to your table, giving you drinks, making sure you're happy, etc. Having said that, if you don't tip or tip poorly, it's rude as it's customary to leave a tip at a restaurant. No, there is no "standard" where a group of important old men decide what an appropriate tip is. Emily Post, the manners lady, says a 15% tip is expected for adequate service. That's what most people follow these days. She also says no less than 10% for "poor" service, which I doubt many people adhere to. Don't expect to be waited on like a sultan to feel up to giving your server an extra few dollars from your wallet. If your server is reasonably attentive and things happen as well as expected, leave a reasonable tip. I have no problem not tipping if he/she really just doesn't care, but I weigh in other factors out of human kindness. Is she the only one covering 20 tables? Is he trying his hardest or just standing around? Really poor service has only happened a handful of times to me, so it's never been a big deal. If it were the other way around, it would be probably be quite a blow to get nothing after trying your hardest to make someone happy. Don't be a Scrooge. If they do a really awesome job, tip more. Lastly, most of you have the right idea. Many states are allowed to pay their tipped employees less due to the tips they receive, justifying it by saying they make the difference up in tips. Sometimes they do, if its a nice place, sometimes they don't, if it's not. It depends on how the restaurant is run and how they split the loot up. However, it's not always the case. For example, in Washington, everybody makes the same state minimum wage, even tipped employees. So no, I don't feel like they're depending on my tips, it's basically extra. Not an excuse to leave less, but it's not the same as other states where its down to a few dollars---where it is definitely needed. Karma, do unto others, etc., people.

P.S. If you're curious, check out the US Gov site laying out the rates by state: http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/tipped.htm

OK, yes the waiter needs to invest in some deodorant and it was rude of the patron not to leave any money at all b/c they still provided a service - and it could have gone to buy deodorant obviously. I only eat out for lunch and I always leave at least 15% or more, unless the service was quite poor. But again like another person said you have to factor in just how overworked they are, their attitude (maybe they meant well), and maybe they're treated poorly there. I think we all have to remember waiters are still human people, not our slaves for 30 mins. to an hour during our meal. And they're on their feet ALL DAY, that's something I can't imagine. And just think of all the overly demanding patrons out there...I've gone to dinner with one and it's embarrassing to me and demeaning to the waitress.