What's the usual tip to give at restaurants in the US?

[agent]

In Tennessee, they make $2.13/hr plus tips.

[RUFFLZ]

How much do your servers earn? In Florida, they earn $2.65 an hour.

fixed that for you.
Your original statement was fallaciously blanketing the U.S.
In California, they have to make at least min. wage: ~$8/hr + tips.

[Hooffenstein HD]

How much do your servers earn? In America, they earn $2.65 an hour.

Jesus titty fucking Christ!

Over here, they're generally casual/contract employees on something like $18.50-$22 an hour. They can earn a lot more than I do with my full time job but they have no sick days/holidays.

[squidmaster]

How much do your servers earn? In America, they earn $2.65 an hour.

[Hooffenstein HD]

Not 'merican but I tip absolutely nothing. They get paid to do their job. I pay for what I purchase.

[Vivek]

You must work in this industry.

Doesn't Carl's Jr. bring your food out to you if you seat? Should they get a tip? I mean you define tipping by sitting down, & McDonald's sometimes brings your food out to you when asked to move forward. Do they get a tip?

I've never done so, but it wouldn't be bad to throw them a buck for walking it over. But that's vastly different…you're ordering at the counter and then in very rare circumstances someone may bring you a tray.

I get $10 haircuts and normally give $15. Guy spent like 45 minutes last time, it was ridiculous but he did a good job and put up with me making many adjustments. The lady who used to own the place charged $12 at first, I gave her $15. She raised it to $14 and I bumped up to $20. It's just easier than asking for like 3 bucks back. I get takeout wings sometimes and usually pay $35 for a $30 bill. I don't eat out too often (at sit down restaurants), if it's under $10 (probably $7-8) I'll just leave a $10 usually. Anything over normally throw them 20%. I've never truly received amazing service that really warranted a huge tip, but they have bills to pay.

[Rustyduktape]

a dollar for every 5, and I round up. if the service is great, ill give more.

[Thizzelle]

meh

[jhaurimn]

My girlfriend works as a server at a resturaunt. I seriously hate the amount of times she recieves NO TIP or like $3 on a $80 check. That chart that says the average tip is 17-20% is bull shit. When we go out, we always tip 25%+ if the service is good. Granted, other servers always tip well. But its how servers make their living.

[einhander]

10% + complaint to manager = shit service

Double tax = standard service

20% = good service (most places I go)

30% = excellent service (really good restaurants)

50% = above and beyond (done this twice).

[squidmaster]

20% minimum unless service is actually really bad, which I still don't feel comfortable going under 18%. It's only a few dollars to me for someone else's livelihood. I used to be a server as well, and even though my income was okay I worked 55-70 hours a week and still couldn't afford to live without roommates.

[delatlanta1281]

I tip my face off. 20%+
If i get bad service I tip, but I don't return. I don't lecture, I don't under tip. Normally they can tell I'm perturbed. Im pretty easy to read when I'm upset.
If I like the place I return frequently. I am a creature of habit. I have 2 places I eat normally, and one place I eat monthly thats really nice. I tip 30%. Bars.... I only go to 3 unless I know a bartender who is working somewhere else. I tip 50% for excellent service. Guess what, I always get excellent service at the bars I frequent. That means Friday night at the bar, 6 people deep, theres a beer ready for me the minute I cross the threshold. Ask anyone who has ever gone out with me. I don't fuck around when it comes to compensating the people who help me stay full and drunk. They are my friends away from friends. Even when I am on the road. If I find a bar I like with a dartboard and great service I don't leave until its time to close. Next night? Im back.
London threw me for a loop.
UBER has totally thrown me for a loop.
Both are awesome though so I go with the flow.
Check the avatar, not kidding.

[agent]

Relevant enough for a one year bump:

http://lifehacker.com/this-tipping-infographic-shows-who-expects-tips-and-ho-1562841207

[agent]

You must work in this industry.

Sounds as if you're making an assumption that I presently work in the service industry, which would be incorrect. I have done my time, as many others in this thread have and are currently doing.

With my (and my wife's) vast experience in the field, I'd say I'm qualified as an expert.

[Dozyproductions]

You must work in this industry.

Doesn't Carl's Jr. bring your food out to you if you seat? Should they get a tip? I mean you define tipping by sitting down, & McDonald's sometimes brings your food out to you when asked to move forward. Do they get a tip?

refer to the earlier posts stating that serving is more than just literally JUST serving food. Of course each restaurant is different so you can tip accordingly. Just remember that if you're a repeat customer that staffs do remember those type of things. How is this hard to explain?

as I used before mechanics have to deal with this type of thing everyday where ignorant customers purposely deface the value of the work being done just to save a buck. You can replace a "simple" oil pan gasket on an e30 but it takes work just to get there. You pay for that convenience of not doing yourself. That convenience has a price, like any other things life.