I don’t eat out much, but, when I do, I don’t tip on the tax. And it drives me crazy when restaurants calculate the suggested tips (15%, 20%, etc.) based in the total sum of the bill—including tax.

I tip on the post tax amount generally just for ease/quickness/laziness on a lesser expensive bill, it's easiest to pay attention to the bottom line and calculate 20%.

However, if it's an expensive bill, I'd pay more attention to the pre tax amount and pay on that.

No I shouldn't tip more in DC where it is 10% than a state where it is 5%. That doesn't make sense. I double the pretax and subtract a dollar.

Anonymous wrote:You don't tip on tax or alcohol

You don't tip on alcohol?!

Anonymous wrote:You don't tip on tax or alcohol

Ha.

Did the rule of thumb change? I always thought it was 20% pre tax?

Anonymous wrote:I generally tip 20% on the post-tax price. I do this regardless of where I go.

NP. Same here. But then I don't go to $300 restaurant meals. We average about $75-$100 a meal for our family of four.

The way I figure it is that even at $300, the tax is about $18 and 20% of that is $3.60. I bet that $3.60 will make a lot more difference to a waiter making $6/hr plus tips than it makes to me. On a $75 meal, the tax is $4.50 and adding tip of 20% on that is 90 cents. I can afford to tip an extra dollar to be nice to someone who works hard and earns towards the bottom of the income pool. I figure I tip about $150 extra per year by tipping on tax. And it means a heck of a lot more to these people, who I appreciate are willing to work in the food service industry. I've been there and it's hard work. Plus, I don't want to do it, so I want to make it worthwhile for other people to do it.

You don't tip on tax or alcohol

Anonymous wrote:No, tip is on the pre-tax amount.

+1 I'll round up if really great service though.

I used to not, but people seem to expect it.

I generally tip 20% on the post-tax price. I do this regardless of where I go.

I don't tip on tax either.

I do 15% on the full bill, or 20% on the pre-tax amt. whichever is easier to calculate in my head.

No, tip is on the pre-tax amount.

Say it’s a $100 casual meal, what about a $300 meal with drinks?