>If you have to mention it to the manager then the server is likely to be in even greater trouble and anyway, the manager is ultimately the one responsible for

>If you have to mention it to the manager then the server is likely to be in even greater trouble and anyway, the manager is ultimately the one responsible for the poor service in the first place. Not necessarily. There is a whole range of reasons why someone can have a bad experience and sometimes it is as simple as a communication error or the person who trained up the server forgot to mention something important to them. Sometimes the customer just doesn't feel loved that day so they will invent reasons for being unsatisfied just to feel the warmth of someone that cares how they feel and wants them to be happy. I agree with your negative sentiments towards tipping but why does the employee have to suffer the brunt of your frustrations of this messed up system? Is it just a good excuse to give yourself a 10% discount? Also understand voicing your disappointments to a manager/owner or even the person serving you gives the establishment a chance to rectify the issue to no one's betterment but yourself. You can still choose not to tip or return. Not everyone is easily readable and some people have very high or unique expectations. I am just saying there is no need for snarky little mind games to get the last laugh.