>>>You're not obliged to pay tips here is US too, if you don't like the service. My husband and I usually do this way: if we don't really like the service (say, we waited too long in the restaurant) we pay 10%, otherwise we usually pay 15-17%.
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>>If the service is normal, I will tip %10-%15. If it is great, then 20%, if it is poor, then nothing. I think it is best to send a clear message to the server. Then they can decide to change jobs or change attitude.
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>Ok but perhaps the server does'nt have a thing to do with what is going on.
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>If you give a hard time to the server you could make it harder for him/her to make ends meet. So at worst that person could have to look for another job. So server goes out and another (perhaps desperate) comes in. What have changed after that. Perhaps not much. Perhaps same crappy service could go on.
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>If there were a lot of jobs with great salaries available I'd be ok with cutting on the tip. But in the end it's not the server I want to sent a message to but the owner.
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>So for me it goes like this. Tip is always at least 15% no matter what. I give them a couple of chances. If the situation is still bad after a couple of times at a given place I just stop going there.
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>Oh and by the way if there's something wrong with what I ordered (too cold, not enough...) I NEVER return it. Who knows what they'll bring me back <bg>.
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>After losing some customers the owner will figure out that something is wrong.

Denis;

I am meek like a lamb going to slaughter and my wife is not! Perhaps it is a matter of size. I am 6' 7" and my wife is 5' 2". I have nothing to prove and she has nothing to loose! If everything is not perfect my wife will call the manager! She will get what she ordered and it will be as she wishes and nothing less! During 37 years of marriage this has always been the case.

Where else can you go but to a restaurant where you can be insulted, poisoned, and expected to automatically give at least a 15% gratuity?

On one occasion we went to a well-known restaurant and I had to call the manager after ordering our favorite wine. I complained the wine was sour so the manager had the waiter get another bottle. This became like a ritual and I ended up calling the manager three more times. On the last occasion the manager opened the bottle himself and drank a sip. His conclusion? This wine is sour! It seemed the entire stock of this particular wine had turned to vinegar! The manager apologized and gave us a nice bottle of wine and a free dinner! I did tip but I am glad I did not have to pay $250 for a meal that did not start well!

Tom