Tip Your Server and Save the World

[Gormy Cuss]

66. No, it hasn't always been the standard.

Up until the 1960s-70s 10% was the typical rate for counter service, luncheonettes,bartenders, and similar food service.
Fifteen percent was the standard for white linen table service. Ten percent was still considered a good tip for the bar portion of a bill even later than that because of the extreme markup on alcohol. In fine dining establishments an additional 5% tip would be expected for the sommelier.

The tip inflation to 20% is fairly recent except in large cities. Ironically, in some of the big cities it's edging closer to 20% as a minimum and 25% as more typical and servers expect that tip on the whole bill, even the overpriced wine and the taxes.

It IS spiraling out of control. I'd love to see brakes put on the whole system and return to tips as a bonus rather than the core wage but until that happens I'll tip 15% even for pretty mediocre service and 20% or higher for good service.