Once I sit down at the table is when the tip starts. Several things go with that tip. Table clean yeh I mean under the salt and pepper shakers and condiments. Usually, It's not wiped clean. Busy or not! Now come the part with communication comes into play. Today's meals for 2 usually comes to 40 bucks with tip.

@AntiRanchDrssng :
Went out with a friend who treated me to lunch for taking him on his errands. Left about 8%. On my way out, slipped the guy some cash. Seriously... 8%??

Some work for way less. I remember one old man he always left a quarter. No matter meals or just coffee.
Truly the waitress or waiter person bring your food should be paid the same as the rest workers. Tips should be split between kitchen and staff help.

I understand that tipping is beneficial to many servers who work hard for their money. But at the same time, the rest of the world doesn't work on this system. I think we're in this crazy time period where many businesses are unnecessarily adding the option to tip, as many point of sale systems make it incredibly easy. This almost seems like an abuse of the tipping system in many instances.I like picking up carry out orders from Domino's and WingStop, as they don't allow you to leave tips on carry out.However, when I do go to a place that accepts tips, I'll tip well.-20% is a baseline tip for food service. If the service is outstanding, I'll tip more.
-On carry out from restaurants that do have dine in service with servers, I'll tip 10%
-Bars = $1 per drink under $5 and if it's over that 20% or sometimes $2 to make it easy.
-Professional services (salons, waxing, tattoos/piercings, manicure/pedicure, etc), I tip 20% minimum and it all depends on the service being performed.

Do not ignore that tax benefits of tipping to the service person.I would bet that most service staff do not report any tips beyond the $14/hr they are expected to report due to minimum wage. That tax benefit is huge. This more than anything is why smart service people are against changes to tipping culture.

Pay the waiter or waitress the minimum wage. Tips should be for services that come with eating out. Cook, bus person, restaurant cleanness, along with the friendly service of the waiter or waitress!
Bringing food to your table without a friendly staff is what.

I tip according to the service level I received. I wish we would get away from the whole tipping concept. Pay people what they are worth. When you accept a job, you would know what it would entail. Do your job the way it should be done.

That's why I stop going into Brienzo's Wood Fired Pizza. The server gave me a choice of 20% all the way up to 50% to tip them.. Oh yes that's right, mushy over rated, and expensive pizza with horrible service and then they want a 50% tip. The old Haggerd blonde who was planted at the bar seemed ok with her servers standing around talking more than they were serving. I will go to Pizza hut for a good personal pan pizza.

Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

@CCubs: Maybe...

This is not directly about tipping but about fees.
We made a reservation at a restaurant for 2 weeks from now. In the email and text message reservations it said there would be a 3% fee for the employees health care plan so they could receive full health care benefits.
It is the first time, for any reason, other than a no show fee if you cancel within 25-48 hours or just don't show up, , where we have seen advance notice of a fee mentioned on a reservation confirmation.

@billybob :
healthcare fee....There's one I haven't seen before.I wonder though, how many employees are actually on the company's plan.

Why is that separated out at all? Isn't that just a cost of doing business? And shouldn't it just be figured into the cost of the product/service? What a weird thing to do; it's almost like the owner is trying to make some sort of political statement or protest against having to provide health benefits.

@PeoriaChronicle :
Actually, I think it is brilliant.
When I get my car worked on, I get a bill. It lists labor, parts, disposal fees (tires, oil, etc), fluids, taxes, etc. I know where my $$ are going. I am not going to see $880 for tires and an oil change and think I'm being robbed.
Same with a hospital. How I knew I got charged $4 for each Tylenol they gave me.
If some government entity decides that the new minimum wage is $20/hr. (which then increases the employer portion of SS, FICA, etc.), a more detailed explanation to why the bill for that burger and fries one just ate was $25 instead of going online and *****ing that Bob's restaurant is grossly overpriced and is screwing people.

@AntiRanchDrssng : If I'm booking a hotel I'd like all of the costs up front and all together. I want one bill, not an itemized profit and loss statement. Take the 'resort fee' that a lot of hotels tack on. Build it into the price.