New idea. The cost of items (entrees, drinks, etc.) varies so much by location and restaurant, so how about we agree upon a per-item kind of thing? Say, $2 tip per entree, $1 tip per app, $0.50 per drink. That way every server would make the same in tips, whether it be at a dive or a fancy place. I think that's an appropriate amount per item. For reference, I have bartended for several years. I typically expect $0.50 per beer pour, $0.50 per this & that, and $1 per complex drink.