How much to tip when the service is bad

[Midnight Writer]

6. A tipping story.

I have a relative who is a "self-made man". Came from a poor family, worked his way through school and college, and became pretty wealthy. I visited him and his family in the city and he took us all to a nice restaurant.

When we sat at the table, he pulled out a pile of dollar bills and put it on the table. He explained to the waitress that this was her tip. If she performed to his satisfaction, she would get the whole tip. However, if she did anything he didn't like, he would remove a dollar from the pile and reduce her tip. As she worked, he would occasionally remove a bill or two, lecturing her each time on the reason. For example, she lost two dollars because she reached in front of him to refill a drink. Lost a buck because he saw her handle a plate with her thumb on the top edge. Lost a buck because she was slow removing an empty plate. He seemed to really enjoy his little power trip, while I, for one, was mortified at this rich guy expecting the waitress to perform for treats like a trained pet.

At the end of the meal, he left an $8 dollar tip on a bill of $120. I lingered and slipped a twenty under the edge of my plate.

I've always had a good relationship since childhood with this overbearing prick, but I will never eat at a restaurant with him again.