For the first question, I hit 20%, but I have a more involved answer. For very good service, 20% is the standard. For okay service, 15% is still good. Also, 15% is to be expected for lunch while 20% is more the ideal for dinner. For outstanding service, you tip over 20%.
Okay, you'll notice that I ticked off ALL the boxes for the second question because they're all true. Tipping sucks, but it can be great. Why not just pay the servers properly? Why be stingy? I'm also a former server and I glare at people who don't tip because it makes me feel like they just tricked me into selling myself into indentured service.
Servers get paid an abysmal amount of money in America. Please, please tip your servers if you come to America and dine out. Waiting tables is one of the most labor intense jobs I've ever had--you're a customer service rep, a hospitality specialist, a maid, a data entry specialist, a cashier and sometimes even a cook. All at the same time while getting paid ~ $3/hour (said money gets eaten by taxes so servers often get checks that amount to $0 anyways). Pretty much the only money a server gets to take home is their tips.
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Okay, you'll notice that I ticked off ALL the boxes for the second question because they're all true. Tipping sucks, but it can be great. Why not just pay the servers properly? Why be stingy? I'm also a former server and I glare at people who don't tip because it makes me feel like they just tricked me into selling myself into indentured service.
Servers get paid an abysmal amount of money in America. Please, please tip your servers if you come to America and dine out. Waiting tables is one of the most labor intense jobs I've ever had--you're a customer service rep, a hospitality specialist, a maid, a data entry specialist, a cashier and sometimes even a cook. All at the same time while getting paid ~ $3/hour (said money gets eaten by taxes so servers often get checks that amount to $0 anyways). Pretty much the only money a server gets to take home is their tips.