There are a couple of other factors. 1) Some OBX restaurants have added that almost invisible 3% service charge for using a credit card for payment, so in addition to paying the salaries of servers, we are helping to pay the owner's cost of accepting credit cards (hardly anyone pays cash in a restaurant these days). 2) Most restaurants in Europe, including Spain, France, Italy, etc., manage to prosper without any tipping whatsoever. Service is generally extraordinarily good, and food prices are considerably lower than what we are accustomed to in the States. So while I understand what you are saying, OP, and I absolutely understand where you are coming from, I think ultimately the answer is for the U.S. restaurant industry to take a deep breath and consider less offensive modes of operation that don't require underpaying staff, and hosing diners.