Ok this isn't a cigar related post. But it isn't any of the other forums either.

While out with some friends for dinner the bill came and everyone got their money out to pay. As ALWAYS we were short so we had to put in more money. Well, come to find out some people were racking up large bar bills and not paying the 15% tip. When asked they indicated you are only supposed to pay tip on food not on the bar bill. I've not heard this rule. I was wondering what other people do.

What???!! Cheap stinkers. This is someone's made-up rule to avoid a reasonable tip.

BTW, one of our local Trailblazer heroes has gotten a reputation as a cheap creep. Took a bunch of friends out to a $1,000 dinner and dropped a $40 tip!

You are supposed to tip on bar bill and food, but some joints (swanky ones to) will automatically put a 15% add on to the amount of the bill or have it already figured into the price, and they are supposed to make that clear in their menus and at the bar! Most "big tippers" tip in excess of 15% so they are only hurting their servers! Charlie

If it's included it always says so, at least in my experience. There is often a note that says it's included when X number of people or more are at the table -- and I think this is because of situations like the one described here, where a bunch of people go out and half of them are so cheap they won't drop a tip (or even figure out their true contribution) until someone drops a hammerlock on them.

When one gentleman steps away to the wash room and moves toward the door and gets the car running, then the rest of you do in kind, no gratuity calculations are required.

Meany has mastered the "chew and screw". Works best at Chinese joints. We apparently all look alike...

I never tip at mickey d's or burger king where I eat dinner.

Do you tip the girls that bring your food at the Sonic Drive In? I always give them a buck anyway.

Separate checks. If not an option then make mental notes. Don't go out to eat with cheap bastards in the future that order the most expensive food items, drink a lot, order expensive wine and then expect the check to be split up evenly. Wow, cool friends. Life is about carrying your own weight. It is your choice who your friends are.

You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friends nose. unless he's in a full body cast and he asks you to. Even then I say call a nurse.

SHORT?... Man I can't remember a time when we split a check and it came up short. usually the waitstaff gets in excess of 20% with me and my friends. No one wants to look cheap! Me I have a system where if I get bad service its a 10% tip max. OK service is 15%, and great service is 20% or more.

Mike

hey, Mike--Do you really think "bad" service is worthy of a 10% tip? After all, the waiter has just used and abused you. I tend to be in the 18% to 20% tip range for good service but I usually will let the "offending" server know what I think of the misuse by leaving a penny in the cleaned out center of the dinner plate. It makes a statement.

And quite a statement at that: "I don't care if you're moonlighting to keep your kids fed. I specifically asked for my vegetables on the side, yet you let them touch the filet. Just for that, I'm going to tip you one penny to teach you a lesson! The world is now a better place, except for your kids who have to split the gumball amongst them..."

And quite a statement at that: "I don't care if you're moonlighting to keep your kids fed. I specifically asked for my vegetables on the side, yet you let them touch the filet. Just for that, I'm going to tip you one penny to teach you a lesson! The world is now a better place, except for your kids who have to split the gumball amongst them..."

if the service stinks, walk away. tipping is not required, but i'd rather leave a tip because i got decent service.

I believe a penny tip is more offensive than a 2-3 $ tip. Specially if it's left on the dinner plate. For me, Lousy service=5% Mediocre=10% Avg-slightly above=15% Exc=20%
If the service was bad enough to warrant a .01 tip, then the gesture itself would probably be lost on the buffoon

A guy got a job circumsizing elephants. The pay was lousy, but he got really big tips.

I tip 25% for great service, 20% for good service, 15% for o.k. service, 10% for just bringing my food and drinks to the table and 0% and a BIG "F U" as I exit for rudeness or an attitude.
If the group you go out with doesn't tip well and shorts you, then find a new group to go out with.