How much should I tip a waitress at a restaurant? After enjoying a wonderful dinner with friends, I asked the table a simple question that surprisingly extended our evening’s conversation in to two (2) additional drinks. What percentage of a tip to you default to when dining at a restaurant? The answers were across the board and inspired debate among the spouses including accusations of being “cheap” or even “knowingly impacting the income of a hard working mother because you want to save $1.” As my wife glared at me for always seeming to create a debate with my magnificent talent to slow...

How much should I tip a bartender? It is a tale as old as time. After a day of work, you belly up to the bar at the local public house and confess your stress over one too many pints. If only the bartenders charged the same rates as therapists. Wait, how much does a bartender make? In the United States, and only the United States, bartenders not only receive less wages than therapists, but they make an average of $2.13. At a 40 hour work week, the bartender would only receive a pre-tax check for $85.20. This legislative loophole in the wealthiest country in the world seems to only apply to...

How much should I tip at curbside pickup? The social distancing initiative seen during the 2020 worldwide pandemic (COVID-19) forced the food and beverage industry to quickly adapt or risk closing. One of the innovations presented by restaurants was the solution of “curbside pickup”. This new toggle allowed consumers to order online and simply drive their car near the entrance of the restaurant while a representative hand delivered their prepared meal to the trunk/hatch. With a wave of the hand, the consumer drove away feeling like a king being brought the gifts of his people. I continue to...

Should you add to the tip of your elderly parents? I am a middle-aged father of 3 children living in the manicured suburbs of a city. My parents are 75 years old and still live in the same rural midwestern town they were born in. They technically travelled 872 feet from the “hospital” they were born in for a lifetime of shelter. The reason I spotlight our differences in lifestyle is part of a theory I created to validate my father’s default to a universal $1 tip. Even in retirement and managing a fixed income, our parents want to retain the feeling of providing for their children. The last...

Should you tip more as a parent dining with children? As an average suburban dad of three (3) children under the age of eight, I feel like I am starting to figure out the world “parenting”. When the house is “quiet, too quiet,” I know my children are up to something that requires a surprise inspection. I know there is no such thing as a good hiding place for candy or gaming devices. And I know going out to eat pretty much limits us to pizza or a Mexican restaurant. Part of the wisdom coming from daily parenting practice is the skillset of forecasting. I can predict at least one (1) fork will...