Not to get off topic on the tipping issue, but I couldn't help it.
I think the concept of tipping a minimum of 15% of the bill is totally off base. Here's why. My family and I like to eat out at a local restaurant every so often and it's a very reasonably priced place with good food. The waitresses make only $4 an hour or so. Most of the patrons of this place are senior citizens who are notorius for not tipping well (fixed budgets and all). These waitresses work their assess off in busy conditions for minimal money, and they are always friendly. Then you go to a fancy restaurant where the waiter/waitress does no more work, but because the food is ridiculously expensive and the restaurant has a high reputation you have to give them a much, much larger tip. It doesn't make any sense to me. Honestly, when I go to a fancy restaurant I tip the customary 15% MAXIMUM. When I go to the small family place I usually tip about 30%.
I just find it very unjustified that the fancy place waiter will rake in about $100 or more in tips for a few hours a night when the waitress at the cheap place may clear $25 or so for an entire 8 hour shift. I don't know, does anyone see this as being fair? I sure don't.
