Originally Posted by wildeoscar
Tips = To Ensure Prompt Service. If you provide the prompt service, you get the tip, or ya don't that is part of the risk of the job... much like coal miners take the risk of a cave in, Soldiers take the risk of getting shot in combat, Mailmen take the risk of getting barked at by dogs. Keep trying to defend your point that servers should make a fair wage, run for office, get a law passed and enforce it, other wise live in the real world where a tip is TO ENSURE PROMPT SERVICE.
Well, not that credentials count for anything on this particular website, but I have lived in a country where tips are not expected, in one where tips are expected, worked as a server, and dine out for at least one meal over 300 days/year. Believe me, I have experience with both service and tipping.
Now, having stated that, I really don't understand this long winded post. The first thing that I question is that is appears to be directed at one of the most rational, reasonable posters here.
I have eaten at WDW as well as DL and DLRP pretty much monthly or more for the last three years, and regularly for about 15 years. Service has always varied, even before the DDP became commonplace. Some locations have a large number of regular or 'old timer' servers, who provide efficient and polite service. Others have regular turnover, or a high number of college program recruits, and therefore may not be as efficient.
Restaurants and guest expectations vary as well. For instance, I am German and don't particularly care for the overly friendly American service style. When we went to Prime Time a few months ago, we told our server that we didn't need the act. She was relieved, and joined us for several interesting conversations throughout the meal, and made a point to thank us for our honesty. If she HAD continued the act, we would have been uncomfortable. Yet other diners may have thought that we were receiving 'bad' service as there was no act.
Everyone has different expectations when it comes to service, as well as the 'correct' amount to tip. Service concerns were raised on this website and others long before the DDP came into play, and will continue to be discussed long after the DDP falls below current usage levels.