# Formula for tipping **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 9, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-for-tipping/646645 "2013-01-09T17:41:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-for-tipping/646645/21 "2013-01-09T19:32:39Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > So the OP is the only one who tips pretty waitresses extra? Well. I sometimes add a dollar or two as a “he’s so dreamy” gratuity. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-for-tipping/646645/22 "2013-01-09T19:36:56Z")
I start figuring from 20% (more for good service, less for bad), once we’re above $25. But at a sit-down restaurant, even somewhere like Denny’s, I’m going to tip at least $5 on a check under $25 unless the service was terrible. Even if I just order a $6.99 Grand Slam breakfast and some coffee, the waitperson still has to do a fair amount of work just to make sure everything’s OK. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-for-tipping/646645/23 "2013-01-09T19:39:39Z")
In general I start at around 15%, but I’ll tend to round up, so it gets closer to 20%, then make adjustments based on service. It will be based on the waitstaff service, if the food just isn’t good I’ll let the manager know. Any good service will make me increase the amount. Things vary though. At sushi restaurants I’ll add a tip to the bill based on service, then I’ll tip the chefs in cash seperately. Usually in increments of $10 based on the amount of food. At sushi places I frequent I get great food that way, they’ll show off their skills, and usually throw some extras in. At a new place I’ll tip the chefs up front, works great. ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-for-tipping/646645/24 "2013-01-09T23:26:00Z")
If the service was satisfactory I usually tip 30%. If the place is busy and the waiter is busting their ass, and are on top of things I’ll go up to 40%. If the service was horrible because of bad attitude. I tip around 5% and I make a point to tell them why it was so low when I leave. Looks have nothing to do with how I tip. ---
**Author:** ![Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e47c2d/32.png) [@Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hershele_Ostropoler)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-for-tipping/646645/25 "2013-01-10T01:23:53Z")
20% after tax. Easy to calculate. I don’t have any complicated formulas like you folks seem to for what they deserve. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-for-tipping/646645/26 "2013-01-10T01:32:52Z")
$1 plus %20 if it’s a sit-down full service restaurant. That way if it’s a $10 meal the waitron will still get $3 but a really expensive meal won’t end up with a completely huge tip. Although I did tip $20 once at Capitol Grille because I figured it was already the biggest bill I ever had at $62 (for me alone) so why not go for broke. $1 plus %10 if it’s a buffet with drink/plate service. ETA: although I did tip $2 for a crappy Chinese buffet out in the middle of nowhere Wyoming once because they were the only place still open and I was surprised that they only charged me $3.50 for the buffet. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-for-tipping/646645/27 "2013-01-10T01:33:10Z")
25 posts and no one mentions the [Third Rock From The Sun](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1ZZWhSvOMI) method? ---
**Author:** ![Pixel\_Dent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Pixel\_Dent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixel_Dent)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-for-tipping/646645/28 "2013-01-10T05:55:07Z")
Pretty much 20% except I’ll never tip less than $5. The servers at IHOP who remember me and bring two glasses of iced tea when I sit down and otherwise keep me happy deserve more than $2.50 on my $12 bill. Same goes for the guy who drives my $13 pizza to my house. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-for-tipping/646645.md?page=1)