There seems to be widespread ignorance, from people who haven't worked in a restaurant, when it comes to tipping.
Tips are defined as money that is given as an extra wage when performing a service. This is usually the case, when you take a cab or get your hair cut, however, wait staff typically start out at $2.13 per hour and do not receive health benefits. That is less than half of minimum wage pay, therefore, the "tips" received are actually the wage. Not only do the tips from customers pay server wages, but a percentage determined by sales is given to other restaurant workers including bartenders, bussers, hosts and, in some establishments, even to the kitchen staff.
Most older generations believe in tipping 10 percent. While most others tip the "standard" 15 percent regardless of the service. One problem with a percent-based system is that the actual work gets discredited when a large group orders inexpensive meals or the guests require a lot of attention. For example, wait staff has a lot more to do than just taking an order and dropping off food. There are hours of side work before and after a shift, plus tolerating people with bad attitudes, who don't tip, can be strenuous at only $2.13 per hour.
Thank you to those who appreciate your dining experience and tip accordingly. For the others, please consider that when you choose to go out to eat and be waited upon, that your "tip" is income for the person who has provided your service, and if they have done a good job, they should be rewarded as such.
