[SampleMan]

I have no issue with restaurants making servers pay them to work there, if the reward is enough (in tips) to support it.

Its free enterprise.

My standard practice is $1 per person at buffets where the wait staff does very little for me, but still do provide something. I always presume that buffets are paying their staff more. For real sit-down table service, I leave 20% for good service, more if its spectacular service. I won't leave less than 15% unless the wait staff did something to really make my day much worse, and then I'll usually leave next to nothing.

I generally detest counter tip jars, where no personal service is delivered, beyond making my food and handing it to me over the counter.

[Political Junkie Too]

For me, I usually tip a fixed amount rather than a percentage of the bill at breakfast restaurants. The wait staff works just as hard, but the eggs and toast meals are so much cheaper than filet and sirloin dinner restaurant meals.

-PJ

[Prince of Space]

Hubby currently works full time in a casino steakhouse after being laid off from his sales job last year. He makes just under 5 bucks an hour but he makes great tips. He gets to keep the cash but credit card tips are received on his biweekly check. He has to tip the bar and bus boys though. He’s been waiting tables for over 40 years so he’s really good at it. He has usually worked only part time for extra money for our family, but with this economy, who knows if he will ever get a “normal” job again. It’s depressing, but then again....we really can’t complain.