So do we know the source of the original lie? That is my bigger question.

I spent many years waiting tables and know good and bad service when I get it. I reward accordingly when I receive my bill. To the waitress who started sentences with, "Just so you know..." and "If you decide to come here again....." while chewing gum? She got less than 10% and I called the owner to let her know that she had wait staff who may be costing her business.

Being in the restaurant business as long as i have and knowing the ins and outs of everything if i have a server who seems like they are trying their absolute best even if i dont get the best service i take in account that they might be busy, short staffed or maybe just new and i always tip them at least 20%. If they go above and beyond then they get even more. However, if they are just standing around chatting with their friends then they deserve a lousy tip and they know that they do. But 10% on great service is NEVER acceptable!

I just want to point out to the person who commented about restaranteurs paying their staff more. While they probably should, can you imagine the service you would get if there was no incentive? TIPS=to insure prompt sevice. Trust me, if you paid servers $8 an hour, you would not get the same service as when you were tipping. They would have no reason to go above and beyond.

I tip 20% or more for good service. However, if I have a small bill, say because I only ordered one drink while out with friends, I tip on the high end, say 30% or 40% as long as the server was courteous and provided good service to everyone. For bad service I tip between 10% and 15%. I had one waitress that gave me and my friend’s horrible service because our bill was small (water for my friends and a glass of wine for me). I planned on tipping her very well (simply because we didn't have a large bill) but because of the service she got $2.00 and a note from me suggesting that next time she should provide better service no matter what the bill amount is. You never know what you will get if you provide simply outrageous service all the time.

I always calculate the tip percentage on the total amount BEFORE sales tax. In a high sales tax state like Washington, it can make the difference of several dollars on a high-end meal. I can't think of a single reason to tip on the governor's share.

I am not saying that Oprah is right, but I had a waitress tell me it's not necessary...I was shocked, she said "listen the economy is horrible" I was thinking, that's a first...wowwww.

what other industry has its customers also pay its help? back in the deep, misty past a tip was a voluntary acknowledgement of service above and beyond. then it became expected. then it became co-opted and institutionalized by restaurant owners as a way to have consumers pay the lion's share of their help's wages. 15% was a standard with more for very good service and less for poor service. why should i tip someone 15-20% who detracted from my enjoyment?

how about paying your servers a decent wage so the customer doesn't have to? not going to happen. it's too ingrained. it's a tyranny we have all come to live with, me included

I thought higher tipping was supposed to reflect the level of service provided? I understand that many people depend on this income, but isn't providing the best and friendliest service is the way to ensure a higher tip? Maybe I'm just old-fashioned.

Whatever happened to 15 percent?

I'll tip below 20 percent whenever I feel like it!