So How much should we tip?

One of my football discussion message board pondered this subject and the opinions were diverse and somewhat emotional. Me personally; I've never understood why the tip% has gone up over the years. I can remember in my youth when 10% was the normal tip percentage. One would think that inflation of meal prices would handle the waiter getting more each year. I mean 10% is good enough for Jesus, right? But no, soon meal tipping went to 15%, and now most people assume 18-20% is the correct amount.

But I digress. CNN has published a study from Emily Post Institute that includes comments from a Cornell Human Behavior Study that purports to be the bible of correct tipping. I offer it for your benefit.

RESTAURANTS/BARS
Waiter/waitress:	15% of bill (excl. tax) for adequate service; 20% for very good service; no less than 10% for poor service
Headwaiter/captain:	often gets a cut of table server's tip; so tip your server extra to reward captain, or tip captain separately
Sommelier, or wine steward:	15% of cost of the bottle
Bartender:	15% to 20% of the tab, with a minimum of 50 cents per soft drink, $1 per alcoholic drink
Coatroom attendant:	$1 per coat
Parking valet or garage attendant:	$2 to bring your car to you
Washroom attendant:	50 cents to $1

	DAILY LIFE Taxi driver: Varies depending on locality. Assume 15% will be enough; an extra $1 to $2 for help with bags. Food delivery person:* 10% of the bill (excl. tax), at least $1 for bills up to $10. Should tip 15%-20% for a difficult delivery. Grocery loader: Check with store policy if tips are accepted. If so, $1 for bringing bags to car; $1.50 to $3 if you have more than 3 bags. Barber: 15% to 20%, minimum $1, for a haircut. For other services (shampoo, shave or manicure) tip $1 to $2 to service provider. Hairdresser: 15% to 20%. (It is now acceptable to tip owner, unless he or she says otherwise.) Shampoo person: $2 Manicurist: 15% Spa service (e.g., massage): 15% to 20%. If service is provided by owner, no tip. Staff at coffee/food retailers with tip jars: No tip required. It's completely optional. Handyman: No tip Gas attendant: No tip * Mike Lynn, associate professor of consumer behavior at the Cornell Hotel School suggests tipping pizza delivery folk a minimum of $2 per pizza. His reasoning: Food delivery can be dangerous if delivering to crime-ridden neighborhoods or driving in bad weather, etc. The Web site www.tipthepizzaguy.com suggests the following: 15% for normal service, with a $2 minimum; 20% for excellent service; 10% or less for poor service; at least 10% for orders of $50 or more. Don't assume a delivery charge, if there is one, goes to the pizza deliverer. Ask the person who takes your order.

	TRAVEL Skycap at airport: $1 per bag if you check-in curbside; $2 per bag if skycap takes bags to check-in counter. Hotel doorman: $1 per bag for help with luggage; $1 per person for hailing a cab Hotel bellhop: $1 per bag for bringing luggage to your room (but a $2 minimum if you have just one bag) Hotel housekeeper: $2 to $5* per night Hotel concierge: $5 for getting you tickets or reservations ($10-plus if they're hard to get). No tip required when you ask for directions. Cruise: Varies. Ask cruise line about customary gratuities.

Source: Emily Post Institute

* Additional source: Tipping.org

Finally a fresh post and a fresh outlook

The past 30 days have not been much to brag about from this challenge perspective, and thus there have been no posts. During this time I have travelled to Hollywood, bought a new couch (sectional actually) and a new media player which allows me to watch movies in my living room that are stored on the hard drive of my computer in my office. This is especially nice since I have that new sectional to watch them on.

I still managed to average about 2 workouts per week, and have held fast where I was since the last post. Now that spring is here (finally) I have awoken from my winter funk and have a fresh outlook. I have decided to extend my challenge period by 45 days since my main goal is the weight/waistline loss, not the time deadline, and I realized there was no way I would make my goal by April 4th. This change alone has instilled a renewed sense of purpose that I trust will carry me through to completion.