How much do you tip?

[Melberry24]

I think tipping is taught based where you are demographically. I live in NYC, and have traveled up and down both the east and west coasts. Tipping is pretty different in all places. Here in NYC, I find 20% is pretty standard for everyone. I tip 25% if the service is really good and/or it is a student. I have had multiple friends and family work as servers at some point in life and I used to hear horror stories about cheap and nasty customers so I sympathize. If the service is crappy (which usually just means a non-attentive server as I don't think issues with food should be taken out on them. That's a cook issue and as long as the server rectifies it, I see no reason to penalize them for it.) I double the tax (about 16%).

When I've gone to places like PA, Georgia, FL, and Virginia, I noticed most people leave between 10 and 15%. I still leave my normal amount when traveling.

But, to each their own in relation to tipping. However, I personally do not think anyone should take out the frustration of businesses not paying their servers a salary and/or more per hour, on the servers themselves. If you go out to eat and someone serves you (brings drinks, food, caters to a special order, etc.), you should leave something extra, no matter what. You can argue it till the cows come home, but it's a part of the eating out experience and has been for a while.