We have all heard it before, tipping isn't something we do to cows, or Tipping is not a city in China. Tipping is a system on which we base the service of the staff of a particular restaurant. Proper tipping is gesture of appreciation for services rendered. But figuring what gratuity is appropriate can be complex.

Tipping has been around for hundreds of years. A tip, or gratuity, is defined as a gift of money given to someone for performing a service or menial task, over and above the payment due for the service. Tips are not required, but they are expected by many people in the service industry. In fact, many U.S. waiters and waitresses are paid less than minimum wage as tips are expected to make up the other part of their income. The amounts and percentages suggested below should be used as a general guideline only. If service is poor, give a smaller tip or none at all. If service is superior, feel free to be more generous with your gratuity. Tipping is gesture of appreciation for services rendered. But figuring out how much to tip can be very complex. While standard tip amounts that may read on those handy tipping-guideline plastic cards may tell you to offer 10% for a specific service, good patronage may tell you to offer another amount.

Take for example, getting your hair cut. This is an ordinary experience that we all do on a fairly regular basis. If you're at a low budget chain haircutter, you may offer up only the standard 10%, but wait, will you be back next month? Next year? Yep, think again. That 10% may not be enough, especially if you want to be remembered by the people whom you frequent for this haircutting service. And if you're a regular patron at an upscale hair salon, you may have to shell out 20% frequently, as well as remembering that stylist at Christmas and other times of the year. Different tipping percentages are standard for a range of services. Read on for more hints on how to be gratuity savvy.

In fine-dining establishments, there are a number of people to tip. Servers expect 15%-20% of the pre-tax amount of the bill. A group of six or more often receives a bill that has the gratuity already incorporated. If a number of bottles of wine are ordered during the course of the meal, the prevailing belief is that the wine costs should not be figured into the final tip. Of course, if a wine steward was involved in the selection and serving, he or she should be tipped 15% of the wine bill. A maitre d' should be taken care of, too, as that person can help to make your dining experience a favorable one. A twenty-dollar tip is a good place to start and will help to establish a relationship between the two of you. This can work in your favor when the time comes to entertain the important people in your life and career.

Bartenders, Coat Check & Valet
If good, they should receive 15% of the bar bill, give the coat room attendant $1.00 per coat, and pass along $1.00 to the valet parker.

At a Restaurant
Offer up 15% to 20% of your total bill. Keep in mind that the amount you tip reflects the total price before any coupons, gift certificates, etc. Just because you get a discount, does not mean that your server did not serve up the full order. If you are part of a party of more than 8 people, you should offer an amount closer to the 20% marker, if not more, depending on the needs of the guests in your party. If, for example, one of your guests insists on getting the salad dressing on the side, extra bread, more water and no avocado, then you definitely want to compensate the server who extended service to include these extras.

At a Club or Bar
Tip the bartender between 10% and 15% depending on the complication of your drink order. If you just order a beer in a bottle, there's not too much effort involved in providing the service, but if you order a mixed drink that takes time and includes a lot of ingredients, then offer up a more sizable tip, somewhere closer to the 15% range.

Transportation
Whether you hail a cab or take a limousine, you best offer a gratuity between 10% to 15% of the fare. If the drivers are particularly rude or unhelpful, give them the minimum. But if they are attentive to your travel needs and help you in any way beyond the norm, remember and thank them with a 15% or larger gratuity. If you use valet service at a hotel, restaurant or shopping area, offer the driver 10% for the service, but never give change. Another guideline is simply offering the attendant a back or two for the parking and retrieval of your car. And if you're traveling through an airport, and utilizing the aid of skycaps, offer a dollar per.

Overall, think before you tip. You don't want to regret the decision to be stingy at a later date. Like when you're hair's a mess and you really need the stylist to squeeze you in for an appointment, but you left such a small tip last time, that she won't make the time to make you look amazing this time.