After the last crumbs of the cheesecake have been divided up and the coffee is spent, it is time to make your graceful exit. Hopefully you will not have to ask for your bill. If you do, points off for your server. Nonetheless once it arrives you will have to pay it.

If you have asked some one to dine with you, it is only proper to pay. On the other hand, if you are asked to diner, you should not feel obligated to pay. Of course, it is only good form to offer. The reality is, when sharing the cost of your meal, your relationship with your dining partners really dictates who pays what. This is something that you will have to sort out in due course of the meal.

When dining with a large party please refrain from shoving multiple credit cards at the server, all the while exclaiming “NO! Take Mine! I’M paying!” It is fortunate that so many of you want to treat their friends and family; work it out amongst yourself so the server doesn’t have to decide who actually pays the tab. If you are planning on splitting a bill, make sure to ask your server before you order. Better yet, divide the meal among yourselves and pay with cash. What’s a few cents between friends?

Your tip should reflect the quality of service you have received. This poses the question, what is good service? Different customers will have different criteria but here are a few universal service standards. To begin with, your beverages should never dip below 1/2 full, you should never have to wait over 5 minutes for the server to check in. You should never have to wait for the bill. The quality and freshness of fare must also be factored into your tipping formula.

Tipping is the final moment you share with your server. Industry wide the excepted gratuity is now up to 20%. If you really feel the service is less than expected, calculating your tip at 18% or less is acceptable. If your service is deplorable, 10% is common. If you're going to tip less than 10%, your experience should have been just awful.

Conversely, rewarding a server for excellent service is encouraged. Tipping in excess of 20% sends a message to the wait staff that your expectations have been exceeded. In a situation such as this, make sure you personally thank the server. Shake their hand and express your gratitude. If you ever return to this restaurant, you can be sure your server will remember you.