Some links about tips:
NY Times article about tipping in the recession
NPR podcast that many commenters found distasteful
An interesting chart about average tips per service job
I'll be visiting my restaurant tomorrow morning for breakfast. :) I can't wait to surprise someone with a great tip–hopefully it will make their day…because I certainly know it will make mine. Tipping is something that totally annoys me when I get average or below average service, because I still feel obligated to give a decent tip. BUT, when I get phenomenal service I am always more than glad to tip above and beyond.
Oh, and seriously, I hope you will think the little place I am going tomorrow is just darling…because it so is. It's in the sleepy little college town of Davidson, NC just up the road from where we live. Although I wouldn't know, my husband reports that it's the perfect place to have an early morning business meeting. He says its so much fun because the waitstaff is full of bleary eyed college kids still waking up from a late night before their shift. I think it takes him back to the days of being unencumbered by corporate life…or kids…or early mornings. :) Ahhhh, the joys of being a grown-up.
Anyway, I'll report back about my adventure–Friday this time instead of Thursday. Sorry for my crazy and mixed up week. My super secret mystery mission will take place next week instead of this week. Get excited for that one, though, it's gonna be big. :)