Wow, lotta emotion on this one. I can see why -- it is a lot of people's living, after all.
Like you, I tip based on the level of service I receive, but I also tip based on percentages. For me, 10% is about the minimum unless it's really horrible service. For phenomenal service, I'll tip 25% or more (even on a hefty bill), but 20% is about my norm. And as others have said, waiters are taxed based on the amount of the bill, and since I always pay with a credit card, they can't under-report my tips[1]. I had thought taxes were based on an assumption of a 10% tip though, not the 15% mentioned above. Maybe that varies by state, or I could just be remembering wrong.
In American culture overall (subcultures aside), percentage-based tipping is the norm. While I can respect varying systems, you should realize that your waiter or waitress might not give you the benefit of the doubt[2]. And while you might think, "So what?", people in the food industry will taint your food if you piss them off (it's a frighteningly common occurrence, according to a documentary about the service industry). So I personally only tip under 10% if I'm not planning on going to that place again, and I'd recommend others follow that rule of thumb. :)
[1] Yeah, they can theoretically still just report $0 tips for all cash tips, but I try not to assume the worst.
[2] This is making the assumption that you aren't explaining all of this to every waiter/waitress that serves you. I think that's a fairly safe assumption, but do correct me if I'm wrong there.
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Like you, I tip based on the level of service I receive, but I also tip based on percentages. For me, 10% is about the minimum unless it's really horrible service. For phenomenal service, I'll tip 25% or more (even on a hefty bill), but 20% is about my norm. And as others have said, waiters are taxed based on the amount of the bill, and since I always pay with a credit card, they can't under-report my tips[1]. I had thought taxes were based on an assumption of a 10% tip though, not the 15% mentioned above. Maybe that varies by state, or I could just be remembering wrong.
In American culture overall (subcultures aside), percentage-based tipping is the norm. While I can respect varying systems, you should realize that your waiter or waitress might not give you the benefit of the doubt[2]. And while you might think, "So what?", people in the food industry will taint your food if you piss them off (it's a frighteningly common occurrence, according to a documentary about the service industry). So I personally only tip under 10% if I'm not planning on going to that place again, and I'd recommend others follow that rule of thumb. :)
[1] Yeah, they can theoretically still just report $0 tips for all cash tips, but I try not to assume the worst.
[2] This is making the assumption that you aren't explaining all of this to every waiter/waitress that serves you. I think that's a fairly safe assumption, but do correct me if I'm wrong there.