20%

As a former waiter, let me assure CascadeBob and other less-than-15% tippers that a special place in hell is awaiting them. Many states have alternative minimum wage laws for waiters. I made about $2/hr. in Arizona, which was barely enough to cover my payroll taxes. I would often get weekly paychecks for under $1. Thus, virtually my entire income was comprised of tips. If you don't want to tip the customary amount, then eat at home.

I made about $2/hr. in Arizona, which was barely enough to cover my payroll taxes. I would often get weekly paychecks for under $1

Um,.....wouldn't that mean you went to work for less than 30 minutes? How does that happen?

MrO when we went to USA last year I mostly tipped in the 10-15% range, and received no complaints or scowls. Once I accidentally tipped 20% and received a big smile in return. Another time I tipped a person behind a service counter, only to be told by that person that it was not necessary to do so.

Maybe they figured we were Aussies and did not expect a 'standard' tip.

In defence of 'mean Aussies' who do not tip properly - without the benefit of a lifetime of living in a 'tipping culture' it is quite hard to work out what is the right thing to do. I eventually justified it by imagining that for the duration of the time that someone is providing a service to me, either by carrying my bags, serving me drinks, driving the cab etc, they are partly in my employ and I should pay them for their time.

As for the special place in hell - that should be reserved for those who legislate a minimum wage less than a 'fair living wage'.

Edited by: me to talk about hell.

I would say that 15 to 20% is considered normal. But is I get poor service they don't get a penny from me. I understand that these people sometimes do not get paid much and need the tips to survive, but I will not pay people who preform poorly.

This has been discussed here in the past. They have even talked about how much you should tip the pilot on the air plane: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1574902

To #11 -- in the US, we get various payroll taxes deducted from our wages before we get paid. So the $2/hr. barely covered the taxes that were withheld from my wages. I got the one-ish cent an hour that was left over. Note the implication here -- if you don't tip, your waiter is PAYING to serve you!

To #12 -- obviously I was being hyperbolic with the "special place in hell" comment. I agree that things would be a lot simpler if waiters were simply paid more, and tipping weren't expected, as in many countries. But, alas, tipping is part of the culture here, so just as a woman should wear a headscarf when visiting a conservative Arab country, so should foreign tourists tip when they visit the United States. So pony up the 15% and be happy that your waiter has an incentive to provide you with good service!

right, 15% as an incentive for good service, which is exactly what I said. why would anyone in their right mind leave a 15% tip for service that might include being ignored, given the wrong order, forgotten to bring things to the table, and generally being surly or forgetful? we are so used to bad service in this country that it is now the norm, and for that I am willing to leave a 10% tip just to supplement what I know are starvation wages. But anything more than that had better be earned. I do not consider adequate service to be anything more than dropping off a plate of food and then being ignored, which is what happens in most restaurants. I am not speaking of high priced places, where you pay ridiculous amounts of money for ambiance anyway, usually accompanied by mediocre food. obviously we need better wage laws in this country so people in service industries can work with dignity and earn decent wages, but that will not happen with politicians who are owned by industry and care not a whit for the worker.

The correct amount to tip hasn't changed - and cabbies haven't changed either - a shakedown is a shakedown in any country whether it is the U.S. or in some 3d world hole - tell the cabbie to go to he11 and take back your money like Cascade Bob said!

I think I am heading to a different special place in hell for different reasons so I'm not bovvered.

If I get good service I'll tip 10%, better than good service 15%, if I'm compensating for someone at my table acting the git I'll go 20%. Interestingly (or not) was in Galway, Ireland last week and my gf was told by the exceptional waitress not to tip as the staff didn't see hide nor hair of it.

I think the tipping system is broken. I don't think (and this is from a variety of sources, not just being tagged as a cheapskate foreigner myself) it works, because the tip is 'compulsory' where is the incentive for good service? It may as well be a wage.

Do know that waitresses are taxed 15% on all of their tables by the IRS, so if you are leaving less than that, they are paying taxes on money they never received. They are also not subject to a minimum wage and in big cities are making roughly $2 an hour. The money you pay them is what they make as a salary.

You might not like it, but 15% is if they do their job. Period. 18% if it's good, 20% if they go above and beyond (ie let European teenagers consume alcohol without an ID)

Also, you are coming to our country. It's our custom. Deal with it.