Inflation looks like it will average about 2.5% this year. Which is within the norm. I understand that restaurant prices, someway or another, tend to increase along with inflation as does everything else. Because service people in the restaurant industry are customarily tipped on a percentage of sales, logic would state that if inflation goes up so does their tips.

This is not my point though. I believe that the old adage of tipping 15% if you get ok service should be thrown out the window. How much do you think college costs these days? So I am going to propose a whole new metrics system for tipping. Here it goes.

• 10% - You never got your food or beverage
• 15% - Your server smells of B.O. and he forgot to bring your main entree
• 18% - The customary tip percentage at a restaurant, service was “just there”
• 20% - Service was great and you had all of your needs taken care of
• 25% - Your server went above and beyond your expectations
• 35% - You brought messy children, or you drank a lot, or you got a free birthday dessert and everyone sang happy birthday to you.

Other Tipping Procedures

• Minimum 1$ per drink at a bar - Increasing to $2 per drink after your 4th
• Always tip on the cost of the meal before discounts
• If you bring children, tip on the cost of the adult meal
• If you bring children, tip another 5% more
• If you get obnoxiously drunk, tip 35% - 50%

Follow these guidelines and your next trip to the restaurant will be even better than the first!