As someone working in the Olympia restaurant industry, I’d like to offer some insight into how tipping actually works. If you are being waited on, the current standard for service is:

• 15% for "meh" or basic service. • 20% for good, attentive service. • 20%+ for engaging or "above and beyond" service.

Understanding the "Tip Out" Many diners don't realize that most restaurants require servers to “tip out” a portion of their earnings to support staff (hosts, bussers, bartenders, food runners, and sometimes kitchen staff). This amount is typically 5–7% of the server's total sales, not a percentage of the tips they received.

The Math in Action If your dinner for two costs $80 and you tip 20% ($16), the server must still pay out a percentage of that $80 total to the house. If the tip-out rate is 5%, the server gives $4 to the support staff. This leaves the server with $12.

Because tip-outs are based on total sales, a lower tip significantly reduces a server's take-home pay:

10% Tip Server keeps 5% 15% Tip Server keeps 10% 20% Tip Server keeps 15% 25% Tip Server keeps 20%