In restaurants I generally consider a few dollars to be the price of sitting and observing people, or of having a good place for conversation. You can learn so much just by watching people and the experience of going out with a friend is so enjoyable. Definitely worth a few dollars...
Beyond that, 15% for mediocre service. The upper limit is whatever I feel right giving. Sometimes it is based on the quality of service, sometimes on what my gut tells me to do.
One memory I have of working at an old drive-in food place was getting a tip from an older gentleman in an extremely nice car. He handed me a $50 on a $5 meal and told me to keep it. It's something I remember, and it really made me feel better on a bad day. After some bad experiences that $50 made a world of difference in my next day, week, probably some lasting effect even today. That kind of thing made me pay attention to how I treat people who are providing any service.
Generosity, if you're really feeling it and can afford it, is never a bad move.  |