I always have a problem figuring out the tip. So, I got the new Verizon flip phone that has the EZ Tip Calculator. Amazing. Just put in the amount of the bill and it figures the tip based on whatever % you want to give. AND, it can figure the split between multiple people at the table. Gotta love that kind of technology. However, the camera phone I can live without. Who wants their picture taken at the table with a mouth full of spaghetti?

I generally tip 20% for good service and 15% if it's mediocre. For excellent service 25%. I base my tip on the total bill, even though I know that it is acceptable to subtract the tax when determining the tip. I feel that waiters/waitresses are underpaid and that tips are the only way for them to make a decent living wage.

I just remembered something else about tipping when I travel for business. My company has standard policies for reimbursement such as a per mile rate (I think we are at .36 right now?) and othe rthings. One of their policies is they do not reimburse for more than a 15% tip period! I you use the comapny credit card as I do, they would bsolutely hunt you down if you left more than a 15% tip. Therefore when I travel on business I do the math and get it right! It's not that I am being chintzy when I take clients out for dinner and only leave 15%, it's that that is all the company allows. BTW, we are not a really small company but have about 250 employees in one location.