
One Third Of Holidaymakers Confused About Tipping
Tipping rules are too often a big mystery to travellers; 14% never tip, while almost 1/3 of them have no clue how much they have to pay for gratuities.
Source
In America, many of those who work in the service industry, are paid less in salary and wages, because tips are a vital part of their income.
Gratuity is applied in most restaurants for a party over 5 persons. That gratuity is generally 15% of the total bill. So 15% would be a good place to start your practice of tipping.
I also have a practice of raising or lowering the tip percentage based on the service provided. But I will tip no less than 10% and have tipped as much as 25%.
Each individual should have a practiced evaluation of a service provider so that you can quickly figure an appropriate tip.
As a side note - sometimes the server/wait staff are not the only ones who receive from the tips. Each business is a little different and so you could essentially be tipping the Host/Hostess, Dish Washers, and those who clean and clear the tables.
If a patron of a restaurant knew how hard these workers had to work for their money they would shower them with tips at every visit. Even if you think they are not worth it believe me, a waitress, a bus boy or the host would rather be doing something else than serving your dinner. Most times they are there because they have no choice!
I absolutely give tips for good service and give nothing for bad service. To be considered bad you would need to be flat out rude, late and dirty looking. Not everyone can wait on tables with the same level of enthusiasm but you can be civil in your approach to customers.
Having worked service jobs in the past, I always tip at least 15%, because I live in Texas, where restaurants get away with paying less than minimum wage. If the service you outstanding, I tip more generously. Way I see it, if I can't treat my server right, I should stay home and cook my own dinner.
Good service = good tip. That's how I handle it. If you treat me right I will treat you right. If I also know I get good service from a particular person then I ask for them when I come back and because they know I do tip I can be sure I will be taken care of the next time and the next time, etc.