‘...But even the regulars are more frequently ordering dinner without a drink, saving money and cutting down on the overall bill — and on Johs’ tip.’
My wife and I adopted two adolescent children from Ukraine in 2006, which makes six for dinner when our college age daughter is home. Ordering water saves ~ $12.00 off the bill for softdrinks or tea, that adds up over time very quickly. I still try to tip 15% minimum but the service has to be there. If we have to ask more than once or wait a long time, that tip % goes down. The percentage of the tip is anchored to a basic level of service expectation.
We do try specifically now to only patronize locally owned restaurants. I want them to be around when this thing ends, and it will end eventually. As far as the chains, they will have to rely on travelers or others not emotionally tied to our area.
I did something I’ve never done before just last week.
I went to a resturaunt and the service was so bad (20 minutes to take our drink order and we were her only customers, I actually had to go track her down to get a refil, the bill was wrong, the food was wrong, etc.) that I actually left 0 for the tip.