"Dave Smith" > wrote
>
> I don't buy the argument that tips should be a higher percentage because
> the cost of living has increased. Restaurant prices rise with the cost of
> living, so a 15% tip automatically increases the server's tips.

Agree on that. Now that real estate prices plummeted are we going to give
agents a double commission to make up the difference? Given the economic
times, I know plenty of people that have not had a raise in a couple of
years and I know plenty of commission based sales people that are still
getting the same percentage on gross sales that dropped a lot.

OTOH, a lot of restaurants have been offering special deals to keep people
coming in. I don't stiff the staff because the owner takes a dive on his
prices. I'll tip higher percentage on that.