How can you tell if you did well on your homework? Your grade is a clue. And if you did extra-well, your teacher may have drawn a smiley face on your paper.

That smiley face might seem like a small thing, but it also says your hard work paid off. Feels pretty good, right?

It's the same thing when you leave a tip at a restaurant. A tip – or gratuity – is money you give someone for good service, in addition to the normal price. Tipping says, "Good job!" and "Thank you!"

Do You Have to Tip?
There are no laws about tipping – except the laws of etiquette. Just as you should chew with your mouth closed and use a napkin in a restaurant, it's also considered good manners to leave a tip.

Here's another reason to tip: Wait staff depend on tips to help pay their bills. That's not your problem now, but maybe you'll work in a restaurant someday.

How Much Should You Tip?
In a restaurant, tip 15% of the total on your check. (If the service is really good – like if they refill your drink before you even ask – tip 20%.)

Here's an easy trick to figure out 15%: Figure out 10% first (move the decimal one place to the left) and then add half of that number. If the check is $20, 10% is $2. Add on half of that ($1), and your tip is $3.

• Tip the pizza delivery driver $2 for a bill of $10 or less and $2.50 for a bill of $10 to $20.
• Tip coat check attendants $1 to $2 per jacket.
• After you get your driver's license, tip parking attendants $1 to $2.

And here's a tip for you: You'll have another smiley face (yours!) if you keep saving money in your DCU Savings Account now for all your future tipping needs.

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