[alwann]

Question: Let's say it's a dinner out. Do you base your tip on the pre-tax total or after tax? Basing a tip of the total including tax can make a big difference, either for you or the server.

Rant: Also, did you ever think about how illogical the tipping scheme is? It's based on the cost of the meal. Not on how much effort went into serving it. Suppose I get the filet mignon and tip 20% on a $40 dinner. The guy in the booth behind me gets meatloaf and tips 20% on a $15 meal. My waiter gets $8 tip. The meatloaf server gets $3.00. Same amount of service. Sure, I understand tips are usually pooled and shared, but not always. What's more, the hardest working staffers, the cooks, may not get any of the tip money.

Rant 2: Where will this stop? Tip jars are showing up everywhere. My local Winn-Dixie had tip jars at the check-outs. They weren't there when the minimum wage was lower. What's next: tip the doctor for giving you a correct diagnosis?