A man needs to be polite, not just to me but to everyone. I watch that. How does he treat the waiter? How does he treat the coat-check girl? How does he treat the driver?
I'd go the other way and be really gushing about the food, take at least 3 minutes on each element of your dish and make sure you end it in an uncomfortably lingering hug. They'll never bother you again.
Just give them a thumbs up. Problem solved. It's second out of your evening. Waiters are told to do check-backs by their bosses. if a waiter fails to do a check - back and the diners subsequently complain about their food the cost of freebies and deductions comes out of the waiters tips and...
In fact the only time I can remember not tipping was at Red Snapper on the Dials when they charged me and my good lady for drinking tapwater from a reusable glass bottle on the table. When I questioned them they insisted they weren't reusable. It was bizarre and got heated. I paid but didn't tip...
I would have to receive pretty shoddy service not to tip. Some of my best mates work in the industry and I see how crappy some customers can be. They deserve their tips.