The point of "tipping" used to be to show a little extra gratitude for exemplary service. Now it's an expectation. This guy said it himself, 18% or go fast food. My issue is, waiting tables isn't a career but it is a skill. Some may do it for a lifetime, got no truck with that. But the expectation of paying more for "full service" just because an order is taken, food and drink is served, then payment rendered doesn't seem like an "automatic" $18 bucks. If your service is lousy, please complain after you're charged for it. Your food is not prepared to your request, service is slow, attention to dininig needs ignored...you still pay a "GRATUITY" ?
So I'm grateful (pay 18%) because I'm served a plate of food and a drink? Great model. Used to be called "tip sharing" to compensate kitchen staff (paid more usually) for their contribution to the wait staff (paid less usually) success on the floor. The waiters "GRATUITY" to the staff if you will. Would love to see that tv chef guy in that restaurant to rate the the overall experience. Not saying it would or it wouldn't rate 18% but that's the customers decision.

They have a job for which they are paid albeit not well in many places but not all. However, the employer sets those wages based on a lot of financial calculations that serves his business model. So now we're being sold we should not only be grateful employees show up for work but the patron should bare the financial burden for they're "dedicated" service of showing up when it snows?! Not buying it. Tired of being told I should be grateful for basic service. Aren't service charges frowned upon in you mobile phone bill? But they're adding them to dinner bills. Hmmmm.

Call me old fashioned but I tip when service is above average not because someone shows up to work. "Hey I showed up to work this year, where's my 18% bonus?" You get extra when you output exceeds expectation. Not YOUR expectation, the expectation of the client, mission or employer. Just another "entitlement" mentality. Rant over. Fire away.