Minimum tip on any items served up to about $10 value is $2 for me. I am amazed at the posters who tip up to 30% including wine. The only person I tip in that range is Uncle Sam, but that's a "mandatory" service charge which it is a crime not to pay for sure!

My feelings and questions on this long, long thread:

klw, agreed, sometimes on a lower cost bill, the tip percentage ends up being more...say for example you lunch with co-workers at the downtown diner and the bill is under $5, no one leaves under $1. Or as others mentioned, a breakfast tab for 2 that is $10.00...who is going to leave $1.50 or $2.00 (well, maybe some here ;) But seriously, sometimes the tip % will be higher on a lower bill.

My personal opinion on tips, I'd prefer the waitstaff be paid minimum wage or tips added by mgmt. and just show me upfront the cost of the meal. I can take it, really, just show me the cost of the meal and let me decide if I choose to eat in the restaurant. I prefer this as I prefer a cruise line where the tips are automatically added and I can add extra if I want for good service. I undoubtedly would add an extra tip in a restaurant as well, if someone worked extremely hard or was very good, even if the tip was "included" in the price. If service was consistently bad and tips were added, I just wouldn't go back...it's only one meal and I don't feel service in general would suffer....that hasn't been my experience on cruise lines that don't require tipping.

I am an very good tipper (according to my husband), when generally women have the reputation (ask any waitperson) of being the lower tippers. Generally, I border on the over generous side....as I've been told...In a better restaurant, and by this, I mean where the waitperson can tell me what is in the dish, how it is prepared, make changes/substitutions without asking or make menu recommendations...the tip % again will obviously be higher...for me, this just goes without saying, as there is a difference between a waitperson who actually does this for a living and those who are working part time while going to college. Some of you might think it is reverse...but I like to reward someone who makes me feel as though they can give me exactly what I want.

Ok, now my question:
Do you tip on the amount before or after tax??

And I wonder how many people in the general public know that when they use the entertainment card they should tip on the bill amount BEFORE the bogo was used???

Hugglynn--I always tip after tax. I just never even think about subtracting it. But when you think about it, even on a $200 bill, tax (in my state) is 5%, so it brings the total to $210. A 20% tip on $200 is $40, on $210 it's $42, not a big difference, plus I always round up. If my bill came, to say, $160, I'd round up to $35, and I'd just end up leaving and even $200 if the service was good. I guess I figure that an extra $10 or $20 here or there isn't going to break the bank, but plenty of waitstaff are psyched to get a 25% or more tip versus a 15% one. And they're usually very appreciative (and often remember you the next time you come in, which doesn't hurt).
Also hugglynn, I think there are probably quite a few people who forget to tip before discounts are taken. I used to work with a couple of them!

Gippielou,
I'll try to bring it back, but really, then the post would only be about 3-4 replies.

As far as I can tell, the 15% gratuity is gone. Just look at the above two posts. These people are tipping about a quarter of their bill! And what's wrong with leaving $2 for a $10 breakfast where you probably sat for 20-30 minutes?

And in a fine restaurant with "professional" waitstaff? Well then, you are tipping on a bill of appx $250 for two. In don't care how great the service was - it is supposed to be. And is already reflected in the higher tab to draw your percent from. Are posters telling me $50 is an insult to the server?

So according to the majority of the posts here, 18% is a "new minimum." I'm sure people add to that or round up, unless the service has been horrendous (as it usually is with larger parties!).

I take it back, the 15% is not gone completely! It exists during "Early-Bird" specials in the suburbs, when the seniors count out $2.50 on their before taxed "special" that includes coffee and an appetizer of pear with cottage cheese. But give 'em a break, they're on a fixed income.
(Okay, so I'm swaying off-track again. Hey, it's a slow morning.)

I totally disagree with the above poster, who claims that service is "usually horrendous" with larger parties. I regularly observe waitstaff fairly turning cartwheels to serve larger parties, while also serving other tables around them.

Some larger parties are well-mannered, but many times, they can also be raucous, rude (safety in numbers), unreasonable and disruptive to everyone else in a restaurant. Larger parties are often oblivious to this.

I have heard some real horror stories from friends on the restaurant business, and seen this first-hand many times. I think 18% is more than fair for a service gratuity.

Keep in mind, many times an 18% service charge added to a bill will be split among 2-3, or even 4 servers depending on the size of your group. If you have 20 guests, that 18% won't go to just one server! Then decide if it is worth it to the server. I have heard over and over again from people I know who have worked large groups that they'd usually rather have their regular tables or smaller groups.
Personally, when it's my decision and not added to the bill, I tip what I feel is appropriate for the level of service given for where I eat. Sometimes it could be 15.7% or 18.3% because of rounding and the actual cost of the check. I hardly ever tip a straight anything.

Like many other things in society, the concept of TIPPING has gotten WAY out of hand! IMO a tip is STILL just an extra way of thanks, so I give as much or as little as I want. No prob if 18% is added, I will give it (don't want to be arrested lol) but otherwise, I will give what I feel is appropriate. It generally works out to be 15-20%.