My general rule: If you do an outstanding job or exceptional favour for me, I tip.

I tip normally 15-20% in restaurants, only if they do an average or good job. If they were truly heinous waitresses and waiters, I am loathe to tip even 5-10%, because just tipping them ANYTHING to enforce a "tipping rule" is in my mind, silly, only because then they'll still get cash at the end of the shift from patrons, and think they're doing "okay" when they're godawful. But I've rarely run across awful waitstaff, so I've thankfully never had to really do this.

My hairdresser, and anything to do with hair and body, gets a 15% tip. I rarely go to the same hairdresser as I trave l00% of the time, but I still tip. I've also never been to a spa, so...

I don't tip at fastfood places, and it irks me every single time someone tips at a coffee place (like a Tim Hortons or Dunkin Donuts), because when *I* worked in a crappy chinese fastfood place, NO one tipped us, and we did the SAME job if not worse than what the Timmies' girls used to get. I understand tipping a bit at Starbucks, but normally if I have change left over, then I throw it in the jar. If I don't, I tend not to leave anything, because I simply just don't have any cash on me.

Bellhops, maids, and anyone associated with the hotel, for exceptional service and going out of their way to do something specifically for me, I tip $1-$2. But if you just do your job,.... I don't tip.

We really do have to draw a line somewhere though, this tipping thing is getting out of hand. I feel like every time I leave the house, I have to account for almost $10 in tips alone just for daily routines (I travel a lot).

I try and just do everything myself, like open my own door, carry my own luggage, wash my own car, bring my own tea to work, etc.

Last pet peeve: I hate it when the cashier asks you - Would you like to leave a tip? And how much? Is nothing private and sacred nowadays? Why can't I write the amount down myself and sign the slip? I never go back to places that ask me that. I think that's just rude.