I’m not sure what started the dialogue in our Sound Off column, but we have had a running discussion about whether or not to tip your waiter or waitress (now politically correctly called “servers”) and how much.

According to the website tipping.org, your server should be tipped 15% to 20% of bill. If you receive excellent service, or if it is a 4-star restaurant or you have a large group, a 20% or greater tip is recommended.

Servers rely on tips to make even minimum wage. According to Illinois State Wage and Hour Law, restaurants may pay their servers as little as $4.65 per hour (minimum wage is $7.75 per hours as of July 1) and tips must make up the difference.

Several Sound Off callers said they don’t tip if the service is bad, or if the food is cold or incorrectly prepared. These callers seemed to think the only way to express their displeasure with the restaurant is to punish the server. In my opinion, withholding the tip (or cutting the percentage) does nothing to punish the restaurant operator, just your server.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t fully tip for less-than-adequate service, but I do try to determine if the problem is with my server, or something beyond their control. Servers don’t control the cooks. If there is a problem in the kitchen, that’s not the server’s fault. If my steak is well done and I ordered rare, that’s not the server’s fault. I may send it back, but I won’t punish my server by withholding the tip.

Now on the other hand, if I see my server giggling with friends at another table, or chatting up the bartender while I’m waiting ten minutes for an iced tea refill, I’m not pleased and may reduce the tip. But if I’m with my whole family, and the server seems to be hustling to do everything right I’ll go above and beyond the “standard” 15% tip.

So in support of all the friendly (and sometimes not-so-friendly) servers out there, I’ll ask you to be fair. If the service problem is with the restaurant operation, ask to talk to the manager and see if they’ll make it right. If the problem is with your server, then it is fair to reduce the amount of the tip. Just don’t punish the server for the manager’s mess.

Remember, these servers have a tough job, and aren’t getting paid much per hour. Many times servers are the only contact you have with the restaurant. If they are doing their jobs, reward them. They’ll appreciate it.