I always tip 20%, more for exceptional service. I’ve worked as a cook for about 15 years, at various places from dive bars to fine dining. At some places the servers and bartenders make insane money, often more than the chef who is usually on salary and not eligible for tips. But at a lot of places, the servers barely make ends meet and live not only check to check, but hand to mouth, week to week depending on the business. I never assume anyone is making bank so I tip well as a professional courtesy and to make up for people who don’t tip.

Increasingly these days, I’ve heard about and worked at places where the tips are split with the back of house crew, up to 40%. That ends up meaning that nearly 50% of our monthly pay is in tips, and that’s a blessing and a curse. Having PTO is basically worthless because missing out on the tips hurts so much.

Here in Seattle, they just raised the minimum wage to just over $20 an hour, and tips and benefits can’t be counted towards that. It’s a step in the right direction, but because capitalism is going to capitalism, it means that’s barely enough to live in the city with a single income source. So I still tip well regardless.

Most places in the country are not that fortunate, so I encourage everyone to tip their servers. If you think you’re going to force owners to pay people more by not tipping, you’re not only wrong, you’re actively making life harder for people who will likely never make as much as you if you work any sort of office job.

The system sucks, and needs to change. Some people can’t afford to tip generously, and that’s fine. But if you don’t tip out of principle, you’re just an asshole.

Nothing, I live in a country where it’s the employer’s responsibility to pay their staff a livable wage.

0, after reading the comments I realised you do not want my answer, since I live in the EU

15-25% usually 20%. I have worked for tips so I get it.

My wife tipped 25% at an ice cream parlor last night. Which I thought was ridiculous considering he just pulled three pints out of a freezer behind him.

It’s too many places now.

As a transplant I refuse the whole US tipping system and stick to the way of “rounding it up”. It often ends up around 10% of the bill but % tipping seems absolutely stupid as you are being punished for buying more. A few rare times I actually tipped 20% because the service was very good. Nobody tips me on my job and on average I make less than these people so I don’t see the logical connection of this whole stupid tipping culture

Growing up, and even after working in foodservice, I was always told to tip at least 20% (almost) regardless of service.

There’s been maybe two times I didn’t tip 20% and the lower tip was definitely earned.

20 standard

always 15% regardless of service. best or worst, i don’t care. im not going to judge anyone. i just want a meal and consider the 15% to be a convoluted tax for meals here in the US.

I don’t live in the US but I tip around 20%, sometimes more or less depending. Tbh I’m never sure what tipping etiquette is supposed to be here, but if it’s obvious how much the worker is getting (eg ride shares or food delivery where you can see the delivery fee), I tip them how much I think is reasonable to be paid for that job, which is usually quite a bit more than I’m charged for the service. And ofc not all of the initial charge goes to the worker anyway.

15% typically, more if it warrants it. Food keeps getting more expensive, so the percentage doesn’t have to go up.

0%. We do not have a tipping culture, nor will I ever move in the direction of us having one.

EDIT: I’m not in the U.S so my answer does not apply

In the USA: 20%. In Europe: 10%. If service is exceptional or bad, I adjust up or down.

Usually 20% and round up the change. Less of there are server issues. A buck or two more if service is super. I don’t tip if I’m standing up when i order.

I usually aim for the nearest dollar around 30%.

I’m a defense contractor and none of the “work” I have ever done in my life has done any human any good. I think it’s important to use my nonsense salary to pay the people who actually add value to society.

Typically somewhere between 15-20%. I do a rough mental calculation figuring out 10% by moving the decimal, then either double that or figure out what half of that is and roughly add that amount to the 10% amount, then go with a nice roundish number (to the nearest quarter) in that range. Usually a little higher than my rough estimate for 15% if I’m on that low end just so my rough math doesn’t inadvertently shortchange the server.

I make my calculation based on the total with tax included. I know some people go on the pretax amount.

BONUS: If I’m doing a delivery service like DoorDash, I look up my distance to the restaurant and make sure the tip is always at least equal to the mileage. I used to drive for them and $1/mile was always my minimum. DoorDash at least would typically only kick in $2/delivery, unless there were bonus promos. Since the driver might not be at the restaurant I figure that’s probably enough to get them to the restaurant, then the tip will get them from there to me. Actually, at home my house is several miles from any restaurants, so I usually go $4 above that to make sure the driver doesn’t lose money getting back to civilization. If I’m at a hotel close to restaurants I won’t necessarily do that. If it’s something where I’d like to try to get the best service I’ll go higher; they typically offer the highest pay orders to their top rated drivers first.