My policy when tipping is usually in the 15% to 20% which is fairly standard. However, when I use my credit card most times I tip with cash ... no tip amount on the credit card slip.
Me, too. A tip under the table is my own personal rebellion against the IRS.
I do the same. The meal may be on a credit card, the tip is in cash.
A close friend of mine switched from being a waiter to bar staff. The place promised $8 + tips. The guy was pulling in $75 in tips per night for two hours work. He would put on a basic show while pushing the meals the place offered.
The boss then said, the $8 per hour was in leui of tips...since he was making ~$37.50 per hour from tips, they would not be paying the additional $8 per hour.
"For some reason", after that, he was only getting $2 per night in tips. They kept him as long as he wanted to stay because he was personally bringing in 30-50 people per night.
A few years back, I talked with several servers at various establishments and found when you tip on the credit card, the restaurant DOES take a part of that money. When you leave cash for the server, it goes to them.
To think you tip a large amount to someone who was particularly polite and efficient and that your $ could go to the server the owner just likes better.... that really sticks in my craw.