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Unless something is terrible — and it's the server's fault, not the kitchen's — I've always tipped 20%. I don't drink alcohol, so my tabs in restaurants are usually smaller than average, yet the servers have to do nearly as much work. I tip breakfast servers the most because they have to hustle. Also, when I'm using a coupon or get a discount for some reason, I take care to tip on what the bill should have been, not what it is. Again, not the server's fault the owner is being generous.
15% is still the norm in this household, however, we do typically tip higher when eating at excellent restaurants because those restaurants (not coincidentally) typically have excellent service.
I still eat out. My tipping hasnt changed much, and in fact i probably tip less now. Before i tipped around 20% after tax. Now my max is 20% before tax. If its a diner i probable tip more, like $2 on 8$ meal. If its a higher end restaurant, then closer to 18%.
99% of the time I leave 20% of the total bill. If the service was mediocre then it would be 15%. Then there are times
when I will go over 25%. And the benefits of being a good tipper are the perks I get from the servers (free coffee,
tea, soup and desserts). This includes all types of restaurants.
Doesn't factor into our decision at all. As others have suggested, if paying an extra 5% becomes so significant that we have to consciously consider whether we can afford to pay it, then that (to me) is a sign that we need to seriously question whether we can afford to eat out at all.
I've been doing 20% for good service for decades, anyway. That's my baseline. When I walk in the door, I'm expecting to tip you 20%. The quality of the service determines whether I deviate upwards or downwards from that baseline. If the service is not very good, I'm knocking it down to 15%. If the service is mediocre, we're getting down into the 10% or even 5% range. If the service is downright bad, you're not getting a dime. Best I'll do is round up to the next dollar. I don't do that often, but I have done it.
And, if the service is really good, I'll go 25 or even 30%. And we quite often do get really good service, because I'm friendly, chatty, and very respectful of servers. I find they often respond to that by going the extra mile, and when they do, I'm glad to go the extra 5 bucks or whatever. I figure it's pocket change to me, but to them... it sometimes makes a real difference. It's the least I can do to show my appreciation.
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