At a bar, I'd tip a minimum of $1 or 15% - 20%, whichever was the higher amount.

You may have caught him on a bad day, or after a run of Brit guests, Sharon!!! We are known throughout Orlando for being amongst the meanest tippers.

Part of the problem with sloppy or bad service, is that when they hear a Brit accent they often know that they'll be very lucky to get any tip!!! I've seen Brits just get up and walk out and leave nothing. I've also seen those who think that they are being generous when they leave a couple of bucks on the table for a full meal for 4 people. I felt like running after both of these meanies and explaining the error of their ways to them, so goodness only knows what the waiter felt like!! There's no excuse for this behaviour either, since all the tour ops and brochures mention tipping and what you should and shouldn't do.

In some restaurants and bars the waiters pay to work there because they know that if they give good service that they will receive very generous tips.

Wait Staff only usually get paid minimum wage, which is around $3.50 per hour (not sure of exact amount). That's one of the reasons why the food costs so little when you eat out - you have not been charged for service. The accepted rate for tips is 15% and 20% or more for exceptional service.

The waiters and bar staff get taxed on the assumption that they have made so much per shift in tips at 15%. If you leave them less than 15%, then they will pay tax on more than you left them.

I sometimes feel like wearing a T Shirt that says "I may be a Brit but I do tip".