i've read 217 posts now, and i want to add a few more points - although this seems to be getting off topic:

1. when i first was introduced to tipping by my parents, i was told to double the tax. that works to include pre-tax and gets you around 15% - 19%. i think i will go back to that instead of 20% on the total. i am surprised no one mentioned this since it seems to be fairly common.

2. if you give the server your credit card immediately when the check is presented, a lot of times you get the credit card slips but not the paper bill and itemization. if you want to review the bill, do it before giving your card

3. at the end of the day - 200+ posts on what amounts to a $2 - $5 difference for most dining situations... i think it's kind of funny.

still, i think that the inability to communicate your satisfaction or dissatisfaction clearly is the single greatest problem with the current system.

if i owned a restaurant it would have a line for the tip amount and five boxes underneath to rate your server so that there a clear communication (and so that the management was able to see how guests felt about their servers).