What's the general rule for tipping bar tenders? I sat in a beach bar in ST. Petes beach last year and as the afternoon went on I noticed the cheerful, helpful, attentive bar tender became more aloof towards me as time went by. I assumed it was because I wasn't tipping her after every drink, so when I left I gave her 10 dollars and said thanks for your service. She became nice again! We are going back to Florida in March and I would like to fully understand bar room etiquette.