My only ***** about the tipping thing is that with the "suggested tips" the server knows darn well what got tipped as they check you out. First, the establishment can set the stage 25% 20% 15% whatever, and that leaves the CUSTOMER feeling bad (guilt trippish) if they "cheep" out.
An uncool but effective tactic. Chaldini "principles of influence" can go eff' himself. ****e pizzes me' off.
I always go 'high' at my local establishment. They do make it a point to know my name, what I want, and provide a frozen glass (secretly 'taller' by several ounces than the other glasses) when others get a plastic sippy cup.
But that's not what I'm after. Not at all.
Tip related story-
Wife and I enjoyed a nice dinner downtown this past weekend. It was a high end dinner, something that was supposed to happen for our anniversary, but got set back due to some other issues. Anyway, it was delicious dinner and a good time out.
Afterwards, walking back, a street musician played solo fiddle. slowly. slurring time in the most incredible way as only a bowed instrument could. The sound wafted down the street and lured me in like a rat in the pied piper.
I stopped, wanting to stay there and listen all night, but couldn't, looked back, and tipped the s#$% out of the musician. Turns out he was a she (shaving helps in determining those things)- but- I dropped more money in that fiddle case than I spent on any tip at a high end dinner.
And both were worth every penny.
(edit- the dinner was worth every penny. The fiddler- waaaaaaaaaayyyyyy
more.)