Was I among the wretched? A quick scenario...

[digilight]

When I eat at a restaurant (usually about once a month), I pay for the meal with a card (either debit or credit) but I tip in cash. Thing is, I always feel like a heel when I push 'No' on the pinpads when it asks to enter a tip amount.

Don't feel like a heel. I'm sure they have an idea of what you are doing. And tipping in cash is better for the wait (er/ress) . This way it doesn't go thru the business, they don't have to report the whole amount, and there is less chance of the boss skimming off the top. It goes straight in the persons pocket less what they tip out to the cooks/host(ess)/bussers/bartenders/etc at the end of the night.

[MystyGlyttyr]

That was the way me and my friend Samantha used to get back at sucky waiters/waitresses. We couldn't bring ourselves to not tip. However, we could bring ourselves to reach into our purses for the rolls of pennies and nickels (for smacking intruders) and break them open on the table. We'd leave good 20-25% tips...just in five pounds of loose coinage.

However, quarters are big enough that I wouldn't be offended to get them. Besides, like she said...parking meters. And vending machines. And for those in apartments, LAUNDROMAT.

[Cyphr]

<snip>
And for those in apartments, LAUNDROMAT.

I always just used a bucket and a old piece of wire mesh

[Alpha Strike]

I thought a $4 tip was generous for a meal that cost $10.95, so I hoped she wouldn't mind the quarters. Nevertheless, was I a bad tipper in this situation? I even stacked them up into dollars and left them in a row so she'd be able to see immediately how much of a tip I'd left.

You get the double-thumbs up from me.

You 1) left a huge tip and 2) made it easy for her to see and collect.

If you had made it difficult for her to collect her tip - burying it under your glass or in your trash - or you had left her a tiny tip as "retaliation" then you'd be an SC. You did neither, so you're good!