shhhh Obama may like that idea.
We take the tax as a sign on how to tip, slow hours we tip twice the tax, rounded out to next dollar---around 16%-
Busy times we triple the tax.
We have found we must check the bill as we have ignored the gratuity included and left a tip on top of the billed tip.
Allot depends on the time we take up a table, just us 2, 45-60 minutes. 4 or more 60-90 minutes. The more time we take the more money we tip.
Then the problem of what to do when there is a slow day and the servers ignore you, come over as you have food in your mouth and ask if all is OK observe you in a close conversation and interrupt you. Big No-No in my book. After the meal is one thing, in the middle of a mouth full=====repulsive.
Serving is an art, I was never able to do that work, carry 20 pounds on a tray or put up with crazy people.
A good server learns to watch their tables and know when to move in, when to move back and when to go invisible. Yes the glass is full, bread basket full, where did that come from the customer wonders.
Good servers are a thing of the past, if the customer is woofing down their dinner and in conversation, why do some servers need to feel a need to interrupt the diners.?
Crap, one spends mega-bucks to dine outside their home. The servers are to be invisible, you sit there and expect to be receive your food on time, well cooked. If there is a problem then one must signal the wait staff to call the Chief . for whatever.
I could give a rats ass the name of the person who Carry's a heavy tray to my table, for the amount of money I am paying I expect it to arrive on time well cooked.
When Hubby and I dine out at any restaurant, I have been known to over tip due to the wait staff anticipating our needs. No way do I want to even communicate with the staff except for the order.
Color me effete but when we spend $80-100 per person for a dinner, I expect service not interruptions. introductions, or anything from the wait staff.
If I am in a city where I am new, then I have the choice to speak to the staff, where to get tickets for a show or where they suggest I go for a tour.
The wait staff has no business asking me if I do not ask about anything but the menu and how I wish it.
Rule number one for people new to wait staff, watch the table but never intrude on the customers, unless they are waving their hands in the air for attention. Don't talk to them unless they start the conversation, or have a request.
Remain as invisible as you can just anticipate their needs, darn, if I wanted to spend big bucks on a meal I would not go to grandmas where every word out of their mouth was---do you like this. If the food is not up to par, talk to the chief, not the server.