Please always tip at least 15%, regardless of the service.

[athena]

126. Not all statistics are manipulated.

Statistics is a branch of mathematics. Without it, we wouldn't have science. In fact, we wouldn't be able to know anything without statistics. When statistics indicate that waitresses make less than waiters, I see no reason to suspect manipulation. It's a simple statement.

As for servers not paying tax on their tip income, once again this is anecdotal. Although I strongly believe in taxes and do not condone tax evasion, this is precisely why tipping should be abolished and servers should be paid at least the regular minimum wage. I am not going to undertip a server because I have heard from someone that they don't pay taxes on their tip income. Whether they obey the law is their business, not mine.

Finally, it is counterproductive to aim one's ire at poorly-paid servers when the top hedge-fund managers are making $400,000 an hour and taking advantage of huge tax breaks. If you want to be upset about people evading taxes, read Perfectly Legal by David Cay Johnston. Hint: it is not the poor who are engaging in the worst forms of tax evasion; it is the wealthy.