I haven't really read everyone's reply but I am currently a server at Red Lobster so I will give my opinion.
First off yes, servers are humans and yes, we also have bad days too just like you do so it may be hard to 'act' happy to your guests & put on a fake smile consistently especially if you also have another table that is trying your every nerve and being needy as can be. We do not intentionally mess up orders, they tend to happen from time to time when entering food items for various people simultaneously.
Ok so restaurants like Red Lobster which are full service, meaning: drinks, appetizer, biscuits + salads, soups, meal, accompaniments, and dessert I would tip at a minimum of 15% and if the server gave bad service (meaning no communication, rude etc) then 10%.
I actually notice often that when I go to expensive restaurants they do a lot less work than I do at Red Lobster as a server and they're food are already more expensive and the customers that go there already know how to act so they get tipped well (20%+). Buffets I'd say 10%-15% since at most they only have to bring & take away plates and drink refills.
(*Adding more*) Oh, so yeah as a server we do only get paid $2.13/hr which we rarely ever see since it pays for taxes so it definitely sucks to work on a table for 30-60+ mins and receive absolutely nothing; it's the worse feeling to come to the table after the customer leaves, open up the check book & see not even a dime, and it sucks because you basically just worked for free. I've been stiffed a few times and have received a mere 1-5% tip also. Have had 1 'dine & ditch' (which you get a write up for). All I have to say is that this is the most stressful jobs (out of 7) I have ever had; And yes I do have fun a lot of the times too.
Watch the movie "Waiting", it's a comedy movie that will open up your eyes a little
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