What's a good tip percentage?

[Swede]

I just heard about some bylaw in New York that sez 18% is the lowest.

[SoCalDem]

Isn't it 20%??

We ate out tonight.. bill was $22.57..we left $5.00 :shrug:

[JohnKleeb]

1. I'd say 15-20% min (I am biased so)

[cheezus]

2. good? 20

average 15

[Yavin4]

3. In Manhattan, It's 25%

If it's a pricey joint, then 30%.

[PittLib]

9. Right on!

Come to my restaurant and I'll wait on you! :)

[richmwill]

14. Must be a NY thing...

I was going to say 35% for decent service, for very good service I usually give between 50-60%. And I am in NY.

[catchthefever]

4. My rule of thumb

Nothing and a talk to the manager - extremely poor service.
10% - adequate service, left thirsty, had to beg for drinks, etc
otherwise...
20%

[samwisefoxburr]

5. In Indy it's 20%...

...at least that is what my parents tip. My friends and family think I am crazy that I tip $5 even if the food I order is $5 or less.

[JVS]

6. 0%

[flamingyouth]

7. I usually give 20%

[punpirate]

8. New Yorkers are certain to correct me...

... but I thought that the 18% gratuity was applied to groups over a certain number.

Still, I think 20% is decent. I figure if I can't afford a decent tip, I can't afford to go out at all.

[PittLib]

10. Amen!

[pagerbear]

11. In NYC

...a quick way to calculate an appropriate tip in a restaurant is to double the tax on the check.

[Kenneth ken]

12. 100 % is a good tip percentage - ask your server, they'll agree!

[barb162]

13. 15% pretax

[Rabrrrrrr]

15. A good tip percentage is whatever the server has earned with good service

Yeah, I know - time for another tipping flamefest. I figure I might as well step out first and take the brunt of the fire and say that IF YOU DON'T EARN A TIP YOU DON'T DESERVE A TIP. NO ONE has a God-given RIGHT to a tip. NO ONE has an ethical or moral responsibility to tip IN EVERY CASE.

I would hope that people would tip a minimum of 15%, quite often more than 20%. I shoot for 20% or more, though outside of NYC, not necessarily quite so much. Remember, folks, that waiters and waitresses are allowed to be paid SHIT for wages, and that as American citizens we are all complicit in that evil, so support them all you can and then a bit more than you think you can. But don't support the ones who suck.

[BattyDem]

16. I usually give 20%

To the best of my knowledge, there's no bylaw in New York that says you must give a tip. However, most restaurants in NY, and even in NJ, will automatically add an 18% gratuity on parties of 5 or more, but that is clearly stated on the menu - they don't surprise you when the meal is over by adding it to your bill.

It's possible that there's a bylaw in NY that gives restaurants the legal right to add 18% to larger parties without prior notification, but they can't just automatically add it to all bills. Besides, in NY, 18% is actually low for a tip - usually, it's at least 25%.

[Nevernose]

17. 15% is the standard

Recently in Nevada, the sales tax went to 7.5%, so making the 15% tip got quite simple (twice the tax).

Of course, it depends on the situation. Most people tip the pizza guy substantially less than 15%, but statistically the pizza guy is NINE TIMES more likely to be killed on the job than a police officer.

Waiters with bad service still at least deserve something, because odds are it's not their fault. Personally, I save the 20-25% tips for those who give exceptional service.

The important thing to remember is that these people work damned hard for their money -- waiting tables all day is a lot harder than you think -- usually just enough to scrape by even with tips.

[miss_kitty]

18. It depends. if they're shite and i can see no reason for it 0%

but as a former server, I am very generous and descerning. If I am getting shite service and I can see a reason, then it's as if the service was good-5% tops :)

Shurely I jest-good service-plates removed before I feel a need to stack them, check dropped before I ask, but not to make it look as though they need the table, a bt of a personality, menu and wine knowledge attentive, but not slavish hovering service-25-35%. If the meal is comped, way more (not paying for the food-why not give the server a treat too?)