I waitressed at 3 large chain restaurants (In California and Oregon- maybe the laws are different in these states) between 1992-1995; I do not recall getting less than minimum wage as a base salary...I feel like it was that standard $5 an hour or whatever it was at the time. We were required to report 8% of our tips for tax purposes. Luckily 2 of the 3 restaurants I worked at had clientele who for the most part knew how to tip. The third restaurant though........geez...........a 15% tip was a miracle...20% almost unheard of...and unfortunately, I have to agree with the poster who said something about getting a Bible or biblical literature as a tip. I don't think I ever received that, but I often worked Sunday nights and every Sunday night this church group (10-15 people) would come in maybe 15-20 minutes before closing. They would work us to the bone getting drink and french fry refills (this restaurant had complimentary fry refills), lecture us about working on a Sunday, run up a $100+ tab of burgers and colas and leave $2-3 as a tip. It was nauseating. Finally, the manager at the time told the group, you must call ahead before coming, and you will automatically be billed the 15% tip. They stopped coming for awhile. I was happy my manager stood up to them. I am a church going gal and was appalled by their treatment of other people.