But even well-intentioned customers can become confused about how much and whom to tip. They may think of tipping the hairdresser, the bellhop, the piano player and the shoe shiner - a short, basic, traditional list. But during the past 20 years, the service industry has grown by leaps and bounds and so has the list of people who get tips. Think about the service you got. Biscottis has a traditional setup for its customers.
Servers go to the tables with menus, take orders, refill glasses, bring more bread, extra forks.
When the bill comes, it is customary in full-service restaurants, like Biscottis, to leave a gratuity of 15 to 20 percent for average to excellent service. If you're displeased with service because you had to ask for more water frequently or the bread basket never got refilled, leave 10 percent, and tell the manager about your experience. As for all other situations, Ken Abel, owner of ABELexpress, has some official answers. Abel's Carnegie, Penn. According to his card, the servers who refill glasses and clean up at buffet-style restaurants should get a 10 percent tip.