Really eric, it's across the board here!

Well there are plenty of bars in the US. In Cities and States!
Many socialize in them often. People like meeting in person still.
I don't do bars.

Bars depend on the city regulations here. Even private membership bars are subjected. The one I go to is grandfathered in to the old city regulations. So it really depends on the city, regulations, etc here

i'm not sure if that's just here in new hampshire but yes the private membership clubs like the elks or the polish club are exempt

They always used to have a saloon bar and a lounge bar. Can't see why they couldn't just have a smoking bar! People don't have to go in them.

Yes, weird system... Isn't it supposed to be a certain percentage of what you've spent?
It would be a helluva lot easier if people just had decent wages. We have minimum wages over here per age group, and nothing is as low as $2.15, not even for kids I think.
Doesn't mean to say you make a fortune over here when working in restaurants / waiting, but $2.15 is insane.
Usually tips are put in a pot and split among personnel once a month or so. That way kitchen personnel also gets an extra, as they never get tips since they don't serve.

As for tipping, I never do. Can't afford it and it is not mandatory. Usually done in 'real' restaurants, less in places that would compare to your diners.

True except they can earn more than minimum if they are good and not much of they are bad. I know many servers and bartenders that prefer tips because they are good at their job

Yes yellow rose you are right they make more with tips!!!


We have a family owned Italian Cafe here and it has waitress that make tips.

Great food for a Cafe! Hugh menu.

I just spoke to my friend at the hole in the wall bar I go to. She made $400 in tips last night (Thursday night which isn't as busy as the weekend) and that was after paying out the bouncer and bar back.
That is more than many earn a week

Minimum wage in Texas is $7.25 an hour. If you work full time (40 hours) that equals $290 a week before taxes. People can make a killing on tips

My ex husband had a good job, and hung out in a hole in the wall bar.

I went with him, a couple times and those gals waiting made big bucks.

So I know what you mean.

I think guys would definitely tip a pretty waitress more than an ugly one or a waiter!

I have tipped a cook but not the waitress before.
She was literally hostile (to everyone in the place) but the food was great.
So, after I paid the check, I walked back to the kitchen and tipped the cook.

What are some of the 'things' you watch for that determines how well you tip?

I'm sure friendliness and respect ranks pretty high.
Another is the condition of the table, chairs and floor.
Did she bring a glass of water, napkins, appetizers?
Are the utensils and dinnerware clean?
Was the service prompt and attentive?
Was the food fresh and hot or cold as it should be?
Was dessert offered or did they ask if you wanted anything else before they serve the check?
Did the food taste good?
Was the waiter/waitress clean, dressed appropriately?

Do you adjust your tip according to how the other patrons act?

I tip according to my personal service. I might complain about the cook but if the wait staff is doing their job, I tip accordingly. Normally I over tip

I'd still tip the staff,they have a hard job and I would relay my frustration at the manager.

I always tip at 20% as long as it's good service or better regardless of how the food tastes.

If service is horrible, I tip 10-15% and let the manager know what was bad. Gives them an opportunity to evaluate why it was bad and correct it if needed.

If it's great service, I typically do 25% and I will let the manager know why it was great.

I guess I am a freak of nature because I rarely tip less than 40% and a lot of times I tip well over that. And the servers appreciate it even going so far as stopping at my table and shooting the breeze all the time.

Money driven association

I dated a man once who did that too. He had a PhD and was a writer.
He never met a stranger he couldn't have a conversation with.