Originally Posted by dchristiva

I think the OP's point is that he/she shouldn't have to make a second request for the "correct" change by breaking a twenty. My guess is that the OP realizes that a 5% tip is probably grossly inadequate, but if the waiter/waitress can't think through the fact that bringing back two twenties and three singles is just begging the question "will you please break a $20?", then maybe 5% is appropriate.

I have to say, this is one of my dining pet peeves. The "correct" change was one twenty, two tens, and three ones. In fact, as TRRed said, I think that the two tens should really be one ten and two fives, just to cover all the bases.