It's cause there's a unwritten understanding that the restaurant has underpriced the menu by about 15-20% with the expectation that you'll pay an appropriate tip. Not giving an appropriate tip when it's warranted is in the same ballpark as seeking other unethical (though legal) discounts.

You should tell them. Worst that happens is they say "no one else has complained about it" and do nothing. But most places will try to rectify the situation, and asking them to either try again or replace it with something a little more failsafe are both good options. As long as you're polite, you shouldn't feel…

The flipping thing (mistake 12) is complicated. For example, for most non-breaded things (burgers, steaks, etc) actually cook better when flipped frequently (one of many sources: [aht.seriouseats.com]).

Just brainstorming out loud here...to save some space, maybe you could use a jumbo pill box (cumin is Monday, coriander is Tuesday, etc)? They're probably more space-efficient than most masala dabba arrangements.

NSFW searches definitely return NSFW images. So caveat scrutator.

"Coffee regular" and "regular coffee" are different. The former is with milk and sugar, the later is black with caffeine. And yes, it's regional. I don't think it extends much beyond NY and New England.

Servers are guaranteed to make minimum wage regardless of the tips they get (see the DOL link above).

Arse, cock sauce, numb lips, and two Vietnamese guys role-playing a cook and waiter? That's is one kinky porno.

Not only that, but you're paying restaurant prices to eat at home. You're not taking up a table, you're not creating dirty dishes, using their ketchup, eating their bread plate, peeing on their toilet seat, etc. I don't begrudge these prices, but given that I'm paying the same price as someone eating at the…

Agreed. Though the line cooks aren't helping.

Yeah, but the interns don't blame the customers for their low pay.

As you say, I suspect we generally don't see it practiced because it's really hard to make less than $4/hr in tips over the course of a workweek (unless the business is failing dramatically). The total wage is guaranteed on a weekly basis, so a slow shift on Tuesday won't get makeup pay if you make it up in tips…

I usually tip 20%. It's easier.

It's the law: [www.dol.gov] . Blame your employer, not your customers, if you were paid less than minimum wage after tips.

Servers are guaranteed minimum wage. If their tips don't make up the difference, employers must do so: [www.dol.gov]

Maybe so, but don't come crying to the customer that you make less than minimum wage. Also, $4/hr in tips (15% tip on $26.50/hr in sales) is a pretty low threshold—I'd be surprised if servers even infrequently come up short.

Do you make $4/hour or more in tips? That's probably why.

This is common, but it's illegal in some places, including NYC.

The minimum wage for tip-based jobs is the same as other jobs. If you don't make minimum wage after tips, your employer is required to make up the difference.

The server is the line of communication between the customer and the rest of the restaurant. It makes perfect sense to complain to the waiter if any aspect needs improvement. The waiter can then talk to the manager/kitchen/etc as appropriate.