<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TheMaitre D':
I usually tip a minimum of 20%...that is my bottom line. I strongly suggest to all those who read this to start doing the same. people never forget an ******* or a cheapskate. Never. Under tipping demonstrates ignorance and greed.</font>
15% of the bill, excluding tax (and excluding expensive wine), is not "under tipping." It is the customary tip in the US for good service.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">If you plan on returning to a place as a regular, i suggest you start opening your wallets a little bit. You will be rewarded tenfold. I buy dinner (not cheap either as my check average is about $75) for my regulars on holidays and when they have come to the restaurant more than fifty times. You will also find that your food is tastier, the service snappier, and the drinks stronger.</font>
Maybe if there's only one restaurant in town. But in LA or Vegas, if I go someplace and the food is bad, the service slow, and the drinks weak, I simply won't come back. And I generally find that people who give good service give it regardless of tips; it's just in their nature. Being nice to the staff returns more value than being a jerk and overtipping.
QL