Thanks for your article!
I find it amazing to see the cultural differences between our countries!
Over here, average and mediocre services don't get any tips. Giving a 5% tip as a sign of disappointment with the meal? Do that in Portugal and people will think you're stupid.
5% is actually a good tip over here... for good service.
Here, if you tip someone with 20%, that's because you don't know what you're doing, you have no love for your money... or the waitress was the best waitress ever!!!
Conclusion: Once in Portugal, leave tips when and only if you enjoy the service. Otherwise, pay the exact amount and be on your way.
After all, people here do get a monthly salary. They don't depend on tips to make a living.
PS: I've found you because @dollarsandsense featured you on his entry for The Pay It Forward Contest
Personally, I think that the expectation of a 20% tip is ridiculous. There are very few industries where people have a 20% margin. But servers in the United States complain when they get less than 20%.
What is happening in the United States is that restaurants that hire servers are being replaced by "fast casual" restaurants that don't hire servers. In fast casual restaurants, people order at a counter and have to pick their own plate ... but if it saves 20% on the bill.
I began the post by noting that I had not gone to a restaurant for several years.