Service varies a lot on where you are. It's much better in the south. It's better in Seattle than it is in Portland, and it's better in Portland than it is in Los Angeles, and it's better in Los Angeles than it is in Vancouver BC and it's better in San Francisco than everywhere listed above.

There's a very real reason to tip well - if you're at the establishment regularly, getting a regular waiter or waitress who knows you're worth serving is stellar. You get the good table, you get prompt service, you get personal attention, if you mention it's an occasion they'll hook you up with little treats, etc. In Hollywood, where "lunch" is where things happen, it's entirely appropriate to have a good line on a good waiter in a good restaurant because having the meal go well helps having the deal go well.

But there's a world of difference between tipping "extra" - 5%-10% - for that kind of service and the basic, surly not-paying-attention you get at Applebee's. Yet if I pay 25% at Kate M's I'm paying $7.50 and if I pay 20% at Applebee's I'm paying $4. So really, the actual tip between "you suck" and "you rule" is $3.50.

And that's bullshit.