How much do you usually tip at a restaurant?

[Chocoholic]

20%- the eating area is cleaned before we're seated, server has a pleasant attitude, gets our food and drinks in a timely fashion, checks up on us a few times to make sure we don't need anything, and just makes eating out the fun experience it should be. A huge plus is a server who actually thanks us for our business and asks us to come back.

10-15%- Server just takes our orders and plops the food on the table, doesn't bother to check up on our table, looks annoyed when someone asks him/her for something, and rushes us while we're trying to relax and enjoy our meal.

0%- Server has a huge attitude problem, completely ignores our table, snaps at us when we asked why it's been 45 minutes and we haven't gotten our food yet, or totally screws up our order and doesn't own up to it.

I don't bother tipping at fast food places, coffee shops, or anyplace else where you order at the counter and carry your own food to the table.

I know customer service is a tough, demanding job, but there's still no excuse for being rude to customers who are just trying to enjoy a night out.

[catlover79]

I try to go 20%. I've never been a waitress, but my sister was one for several years. I got to know the plight of waiters/waitresses pretty well. So I always try to go out of my way to make sure my server gets a decent tip. Last Friday I went to a local pub/grill for my high school "pre-union" and tipped my waitress $5 when my bill was $12-something.

[Yooch]

I shoot for 20%, using the same criteria as both of you.

[InspectorExstead]

somewhere between 15 and 20%. i usually just double what the tax is for tip. and since i always go out to eat with at least one friend, it's pretty reasonable since we just split it halfway.

[Ireneparalegal]

I try and tip at places where you may not normally tip. For example, I tip the server at 31 Flavors Ice cream. During the week it was hot here, we visited to get some ice cream cones. The young man assisting us was very fast, very nice and we know he was tired because the place was packed with people. Our ice cream order came out to $10. I gave him a $3 tip. He was so gracious abt it. I try and tip more than is needed simply because people work hard at their jobs and sometimes they may not feel appreciated. I do it because having worked as a cashier, at a restaurant and other places, sometimes just knowing customers are grateful and appreciative, made me feel better abt my job.

When it comes to restaurants, my boyfriend and I always leave a big tip. We are just that way.

If we get bad service, we still tip, but it is not huge.

[Hollow]

0% at all times unless maybe i'm extra satisfied. people who think i'm obligated to pay more than i'm charged need to mind their own business, and that includes waiters who take their jobs knowing they're getting a lousy pay. i have a life and i need money too. but my tipping rate is irrelevant anyway because i never go to sit-down restaurants unless it's with family or a date, both of who pay for me-LOL

[AB]

I usually tip between 10 & 20 percent, it really depends on the sevice. I hate it when you have to flag down your waiter/waitress because they've seem to have forgotten about you.

[EmoJoe]

my tipping rate is irrelevant anyway because i never go to sit-down restaurants unless it's with family or a date, both of who pay for me-LOL
same here, most of the time i go with family who pays for me. :lol:

but they usually tip between 15 and 20%, depending on how the server is.

[Stuck In The '70's]

We have 2 pizza places in town and they have tip jars up by the register. Like I'm going to tip them when I pick up my pizza. :lol:

I don't have no set tip...it depends on my mood and how good the service is. :lol:

[dawsongirl]

15-20%. Or whatever my date tells me is fair. :lol: I'm bad with figures. But if you're the most horrible waitperson on the planet, you get nothing. Friendliness goes a long way, people.

[Janice]

Usually 20%, more or less for good or not so good service.

[Courtnee]

15% unless it was really sucky.

[Seth]

Usually 20%, more or less for good or not so good service.

Ditto.

0%- Server has a huge attitude problem, completely ignores our table, snaps at us when we asked why it's been 45 minutes and we haven't gotten our food yet, or totally screws up our order and doesn't own up to it.

I'd never NOT leave a tip (at least here in the US). However, once at a restaurant I ran into this very problem. I left two cents. (Figure out the symbolism there...)

[OH Nuts!]

I usually double the tax which would work out to abt 17%. If the waiter/waitress is friendly, gives really good service, does something out of the ordinary I usually tack on another 4-5% for each. Anyone so extraordinary to do all three gets 1/3 of the check and a compliment to the manager about what a great ee they have.

On the other end, rudeness or screw ups get from 0-15% depending upon how bad. Anyplace I'd leave less than 10% is a place I'd never go back to.