Restaurant Nightlife

Even the most conscientious diner occasionally finds himself in the awkward position of wondering what the appropriate tip should be for service in a restaurant.  There are some people I know who are generous tippers, sometimes to an extreme degree.  Then, there are stingy ones who always seem to short the server by just dropping some change on the table, or throwing a couple of singles down when the bill is clearly more than $35.  These are both pretty major faux pas, but with a little study, you’ll be tipping like a pro in no time.

The main thing about tipping is that it is part of your wait server’s income.  In the United States, unlike Canada and parts of Europe, wait staff do not earn minimum wage as part of their base pay;  the tips they earn supplement their substandard pay, and without the proper amount of tipping from the people they wait on, their income is drastically affected.  So, how do you know what an appropriate tip is?  Is there ever a time when leaving no tip at all is warranted?

As a general rule, always, always leave a tip.  Even if the waiter was snooty and inattentive, leave a tip.  Yes, you can leave a note about your experience for the manager if you feel it is needed, but tips are not to be used to punish your waitstaff for displeasing you.  Here is an infographic on tipping that will be of great use the next time you dine out: