[mikester]

I tip 15-20% in resturants - more if it is warranted or if it is a place I frequent and the staff treats me as a regular.

What gets me is when I walk into a lunch establisment or a coffee place and they have a "tip jar" for taking my order, making it and handing it to me. That isn't the service I tip for - sorry.

And as far as people saying "it's the only job I could get." Well - I'm calling shenanagins on that crap. I was a starving college student myself at one time and it was the only job I couldn't get. I worked at Denny's for some time and realized that I was a moron to stay there any longer than it took to find something else. I worked at plenty of other places that paid full wages and worked with my schedule for school happily as well as having SOME benefits at least. I worked at Blockbuster for a while and I worked - god help me- at jiffy lube for years. I also worked at a few hobby stores and music stores. The fact is - if you think that's your only game in time (what ever job it is) you're selling yourself short because ANYONE can do better than what they are doing right now. I have a very good job - but I know I can do better - this one is just good enough though.

Seriously - get a grip.

Another detail is that my sister - a cute little grad student herself has tried and tried to get a waitress job here in LA and failed miserably. The hours would be good for her schedule but they want people with experience and she just doesn't have it.

If the service I get is lame - I leave a lame tip.