tip or die.

If you have ever gone out to eat at a restaurant and the table's bill came to around $12.00 and you paid for your meal, and left a whole $2.40 (which is %20) for a tip, you sir are guilty of being an awful tipper. The majority of people think that as long as the percentage is over ten, that they're good as gold. Just because you searched the menu for the greatest deal possible or brought your stack of coupons doesn't mean the amount your server recieves as a tip should decrease along with the amount of your ticket. Here are some rules that I've come up with that should help anyone be a better tipper:

• Never leave less than a %15 tip, unless the server intentionally gives you terrible service. I say intentionally, because if your food comes late or your drink doesn't get refilled as soon as you're finished with it, look around and see if your server is overwhelmed with multiple tables and realize that you're not the only people in the restaurant.
• Whether you come in by yourself or with another person your tip should never be below $5.00 for the table. If your check is less than $20.00, it doesn't mean that your server does any less work than if your check reached $50.00. Your tip is a tip for service. If you feel good about leaving $2.00, you might as well keep it, because you obviously need it more.
• If the service you recieve is exceptional (meaning your drinks are always full, your food comes quickly, and your server does everything that you ask) you shouldn't hesitate to tip your server 20-25%. Better service=better tip.
• If these tough times have your scrounging for every cent and have you cutting back on the amount you spend. Make sure before you enter the restaurant you have enough to leave a reasonable tip. If you can't afford to leave a good tip, stay at home and serve yourself, or take a drive by Taco Bell; no one wants to serve your sorry ass.
• Being nice does not justify leaving a good tip. I have had several tables sit and talk to me and tell me how good I was doing. As they left they didn't hesitate to tell me how great everything was. Then when I went to retrieve my great reward I am shocked to find they only left me %10. Please, be that costumer that can't get enough extra dressing with their salad and doesn't say "thank you" once. Just leave me a decent amount of money that I can put towards what I want after I have just refilled your drink 437 times.

I think I have made my point clear. Sorry to rant and rave about this, but it's something I deal with everyday.

P.S. Most servers only get paid $2.13 an hour. We live off of our tips!