In general, I never tip poorly and don't think it is ever defensible. That is until I read your story and thought about it. I think the rule of thumb is that unless you can make a reasonable case that your service was so bad that they should be fired you should tip? I don't know. I do agree that you were right not to…

That attitude is obnoxious and ineffective if you are trying to change the way someone thinks. The internet is a big area. I think you should really consider whether or not this is the place for you.

He may not be to blame for his lack of "common sense."

I don't understand this comment, but I like it.

I do think he understands your position. I think this blog may have a different purpose than you do. I view this blog as a place where people can share stories, vent, and commiserate without judgement or criticism towards them. Sometimes it's a place where people share in schadenfreude. People who share in that…

I don't think it's as consequentialistic as that. I think some people are just jerks to people that they can't relate to. They have empathy issues. Some people do think it out and are jerks based on power. Other people, through a deontological principal or empathy (the effects are the same really) are just nice to…

Although, this isn't as hard and fast as I once thought. I know someone who owns a salon and things aren't going super well and he doesn't have a great attitude about people who don't tip. I know he treats people who do tip better.

I'd say don't make a big deal about it... If you're generally a good tipper then it won't really come up again. If they perseverate on it, then talk it out, but I'd just let that one be a difference of opinion and float by...

Im all for the labor laws thing, but I think there is an easier way... Just write some yelp reviews from the point of view of a concerned customer who was there and didn't see anyone ever drink water... I feel like you'd have a pretty easy way to manipulate the system. "WHEN I GO TO A RESTAURANT I DEMAND TO SEE THE…

To me it's more simple than that. It doesn't matter to me if the service was horrible and it was the server's fault. Who am I to take away their livelihood. Everyone has bad days. But in most jobs (maybe all other jobs) you're ability to feed and provide for yourself isn't dependent on your actions right in that…

Thanks!

First of all, I take a little umbrance at the notion of the Irish as a historically oppressed minority. Don't give me a history lecture. I know it. I know it very well. I've studied Irish history both in an American university and in an Irish one. There were horrible things committed against the Irish. But they don't…

No, no. I know how to spell Aphrodite. But could you spell "mighty" again fo me. I forget if it has I "f" or two...

I haven't dealt with those specifically. I have had the general Christian handouts though. My fantasy, which I wouldn't act on because it costs money and I'm not really that much of an ass, involves carrying around tiny copies of The Origin of The Species and passing them out. I don't think they exist, and if they did…

I did hear it! It was really compelling. I felt the desire to write an email to all the reporters at This American Life and to tell them that I actually like their voices. I know it shouldn't matter, but I think it kind of does. It's just natural... And, unfortunately, I can't say I do or don't miss Lindy. I'm more of…

I'm not a lawyer at all, and I'm pretty sure this would/could never happen, but I would love to see those people charged with forgery...

From now on, when I get upset but don't have a good reason, it's because you misspelt Jesus. Not you as in the OP, just whoever happens to be around...

Here is how I see it. When you travel somewhere there is an expectation that you should try and understand, and to a reasonable point, cater to the customs of another culture. Here, there was a culture that was established for 50 weeks a year, and for 2 of them there were people coming in, who were clearly from a…

Wow... Did he... Did he actually listen to you and stop? I'm not sure what to say. I don't think I've ever seen something like that happen... You could make a ton of money with your magical troll destroying powers!