Service... or a lack of it

Why does service in Singapore suck so much?

Go to any normal restaurant, and the only time you see the server is :
a) when he takes your order
b) when he brings your ONE measly cup of water
c) when he settles your bill (after much desperate hand-waving and assorted other gestures to get the server's attention)

And yet, we have come to expect this kind of service, even in fine dining establishments. And to top it all off, the restaurant charges us a 10% service charge. Only in Singapore can we get foul service, pay a 10% surcharge and deal with it, yet complain about everything else under the sun ^^

Maybe part of the problem is that servers here don't get to keep the tip, unlike in the US, where up to 80% of a server's wages can come from tips alone. Over there, I've never had to stare down waiters for water, never had servers give me blank looks when asking about the soup of the day, never had to literally pull servers by the scruff of their necks to the table to settle the bill.

Ok, so maybe Singaporeans are stingy, and don't like to tip so that they can keep their bills down. Fine. Then why charge a 10% service charge when there is. Literally. No. Service? Yeesh.

Rant done. Over and out.