I've read thru most of this thread and I'm really confused as what to say.
I don't even know where to begin. I'm amazed at the twists and turns that people have put on this, something that started out as a tongue-in-cheek guideline was turned personal and not eating at a chain where someone works.....
What's in the water here on Pet Talk?!?!?!
I've never been in food service, but I have worked on 100% commission. And I've had people try to get me to take $50 off a vacuum, and I told them, that was taking money out of my pocket and the guy said "no it isn't you get minimum wage" I said "No I don't - I get 100% commission and if I don't make enough to get $6 an hour THEY PAY ME $6 an hour BUT then I have to pay them back out of my next check, its called the draw system." One time I came home working 18 hours in a two week period with an $11 pay check....

I always tip well, I have the EZ tip calculator on my phone and use it as a base rate. I've never not left a tip for bad service. My sister had horrible service once and left a penny, b/c she thought that would make more of a statement than nothing at all.

I got some awesome service at Olive Garden one day and when I looked at my bill my server (male) didn't charge me for my soup ($5) I gave him like a $9 tip. So I really didn't get anything free, I just paid him for the soup instead of the restaraunt.
I've also laid down what I thought was 3 1-dollar bills and when I glanced again I saw one of them was a 10. That's too good of a tip when my meal was only $15. So needless to say I changed the 10 for a 1!!!
I eat out a lot of most of the time by myself, I take a book with me, and I think I get better service when I am by myself b/c I can talk more one on one with the person.
There was one time I was going thru Taco Bell and the girl in the window may have said something to me that didn't mean anything to her but to me, it made my day. She told me to drive safely and be careful and have a nice day. She didn't need to tell me that but she did.
A few weeks ago my parents and grandma went out for supper at a local restaurant. Our server was ehhh ok but there was a younger boy that worked there that kept checking on us, getting our drinks, talking to my dad. I felt HE deserved the tip b/c once the other waitress saw him doing that she only came to give us the bill. He even came over and said "is there something else I can do for you guys since my turd friend has seemed to forgotten about you!" My dad told the manager she better watch her job b/c that kid will take it from you someday.
I actually didn't even think anything of the OP b/c I knew it wasn't 'from' Anna that it was probably an email she'd received. If you think this is rude there's one floating around on the net from an ER nurse that is 100% worse. Maybe Anna cleaned up the language on this one but the ER nurse one has all kind of threats and foul language.
now
go find a furry animal and give them a good pat!