Here's a quick hint on tipping for the mathematically impaired.

To calculate a 15% tip, move the decimal point one digit to the left. That gives you 10%. Add half of that amount again to get 15%.

20% is just as easy. Move the decimal point one digit to the left and double it.

For example, if my tab is $42.63 the calculations work as follows:

15% tip on $42.63:
Move the decimal point to the left = $4.26
Half of $4.26 is $2.13.
$4.26 + $2.13 = $6.39

20% tip on $42.63
Move the decimal point to the left = $4.26
$4.26 * 2 = $8.52

It couldn't be any easier.

Now, if you want 18%... well... the tip calculator won't give that to you either. ;-)

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I'm a bit curious: do most people here tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount (assuming you live in a state that has sales tax)?

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In California, with our tax at nearly 8% we just double the tax for average service (almost 16%), or double the tax and throw down a few more bucks, for good service, or triple the tax for excellent service. That's the simple way.

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Tables are for things that take time to calculate - like square roots. The very existence of something like this tip table is pretty sad... as the previous poster said, 20% tips are very easy to calculate given our decimal system (all that's required is doubling). 15% take only a moment longer (you have to take a half and then add it). 18% on the money is a pain, of course, but do we actually care about getting the percentage down exactly? Of course not -- figure out 20% and then reduce as you like. For most of the meals I eat, differences of 1 or 2 % are irrelevant - once I'm at that granularity, I'm adjusting to make the dollar amount come out even anyway.

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A tip calculator for a PDA's also a good idea, especially if it's a pda-phone of some type.

This is a plug, except it's freeware so we don't make money off it if you click on it - the company I work for has a free tip calculator called Tipster here: http://iliumsoft.com/site/fp/tipster.htm

It won't work right on a square-screen Pocket PC device, so be warned.

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I always tip at least a dollar per person at the table in case the tip comes out at a piddly amount if you do it by percentage.

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I think a tipping table is a wonderful thing. Not because tipping is so hard to figure out...it's not. But often we are talking about important things with one or two other people and we don't want to stop and let them sit and watch us while we figure percentages. It ruins the flow of the conversation.

Having a tip chart lets us with one glace figure what the amount is. I like having it in my wallet, even if I don't always use it.

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