[DeltAlum]

When my parents divorced, my mom was a carhop for several years and always taught me to tip well. Last summer, our son was a waitperson at a chain restaurant (IHOP maybe).

I always tip at least 15%. Often closer to 20. When the gratuity is already added to the check, I always leave a few bucks more.

BUT...

Frankly, if it weren't for the family reasons stated above, I might not. To be blunt, service in most restaurants has gone from average to awful. Waiting tables is pretty much a lost art. (Present company excluded, I'm sure) Unless the waitperson is the only one serving ten full tables, I shouldn't have to ask twice for a glass of water or whatever. When I ask for a check, I'd like it sometime in my lifetime. I generally like food hot -- not tepid. And, if I politely tell a server that I have theatre tickets with the curtain in ten minutes, I really don't want to wait fifteen minutes for change or my credit card receipt.

And, would someone please write a new waitperson script? I'm real tired of, "Hi, I'm Chip and I'll be taking care of you tonight. Can I start you off with an appetizer or something from the bar? Are you ready to order, or do you need a few more minutes?" Be creative! Be real, not Memorex.

By the way, I always say "Thank you" when something is served to me or a request is fullfilled. The waitperson's answer should be "You're Welcome" or something like that -- not "No problem." Unless I've requested something outlandish, it shouldn't be a problem. It's part of the job! (Actually, that's true of any service industry job)

Having gotten all that off my chest, I know the salary (if any) is tiny, and I still tip on the high side (to the point that some of my expense reports were questioned in the past).

It is such a pleasure to get great service.

My only wish is that if someone really wants to make outstanding tips, he/she should be motivated to give outstanding service as well. I'm sure all of you do.

And that's the end of my rant.