Just a quick rant on the subject of tipping.

First and foremost, to tip is to exhibit good manners, period. I worked in a bar for a couple of years in college (as a DJ) and as a musician now, so I like tips. The money is nice, but tips are an indication that you're doing something right. I never saw them as owed to me nor did I see it as the customer's obligation or a quid pro quo exchange.

However, there is a mentality in the service industry that is making me insane.

And, I think it's time to rewrite the book on tipping etiquette.

Today I ate lunch at a local spot I'll soon highlight on a new site I'm creating. (In other words, I ain't sayin' where just yet.) I decided to dine in. The person rang up my order, and I used my debit card to pay. The ticket had a field for "tip," as these tickets often do.

This is an establishment with no "waiters," and it's a wonderful, locally owned establishment. I bought a sandwich, some chips and a bottle of soda and planned to sit down and read a paper while I ate. However, because I was presented with the decision to give the tip up front, I declined. The attendant scribbled through it with an aire of annoyance.

But what if the sandwich was crap? What if they all had Tourette's and started randomly cussing me out? What if I were attacked by spiders? Would I be able to get my tip back? To me, the tip is not obligatory EVER. It is a monetary referendum on the individual's experience and service after the fact, and I think these folks would be wise to ring people up after they've eaten should the order be dine-in.

Alas, I noticed they had some good looking brownies for dessert. I had no cash, so I said I'd be right back for some sweets. After a trip to the local ATM, I came back, bought a brownie and tipped 200 percent on that $1.25 item to cover me for lunch.

But the attendant didn't see me do it.

And therein lies the problem.

We've evolved tipping culture into this system by which we measure ourselves as good, generous people, straying away from what's really beneficial about the practice. I mean, who CARES if the kid didn't see me stick my two worn-out bills in his tip jar, right? Personally, I don't, and it's why I have some strong opinions about how tipping culture needs to be changed.

First, if the service sucked, we have to stop giving anything. To not give a tip is a useful practice, after the fact, if the experience or service was bad. Not only is it terrific feedback for the server, it is for the establishment, too.

The converse for this is simple, and we as individuals have to be honest with ourselves. If the service was terrific, we have to break it out. I don't think 25 or 30 percent is too much at all for a great experience. If it was adequate, stick with 15 or 20.

I don't think this strays too much from what most of you would follow.

Here's where I trick things up a bit.

1. The barista at Starbucks doesn't get a tip. She isn't an artist. She follows some simple instructions and puts up with superficial people. Why anybody would tip a barista is beyond me, although I have before. She was cute, and she flirted.

See, it's all about rewarding behaviors.

2. Your oil-change guy DOES get a tip. These people take care of your car, and it's 100 times more important than whether you and your honey had a good time at Red Lobster. If you have an option, and your oil guy takes care of you, tip the hell out of them.

3. Tip the delivery guy, but if you have to pick it up yourself, no tip. Much of the purpose of take-out is to forego some of the accoutrement that come with dining in (and some of the headaches).

4. Don't tip before the person does something. Tip after. If I'm playing the piano, and you request that I play "Beer Barrel Polka," you should hold on to your $5 until after I play it because, odds are, I won't. (I don't know it. Yet.)

5. Put a bell on your tip jar so that it makes a sound anytime somebody puts a buck in. That way, the people working will hear it and physically acknowledge the goodwill.

6. The chick who cuts your hair? You'd better treat her right. First, I don't let straight dudes cut my hair. Gay men and women only. But if they are doing your hair right, then reward them with a big, fat tip. Remember, they could forget what they're doing and shave your hair clean off. But in all seriousness, there is nothing more valuable day-to-day than a great-looking haircut.

But most of all, let's get out of this mentality that we owe a tip to anyone who does anything for us. C'mon, when are we going to start tipping the mailman? He DOES bring us our mail, right?

On the other hand, tipping makes us feel good, and besides any perceived "obligation," this is the big reason we do it. To make US feel good. And my suggestion is that we care less about that and use our precious tip dollars as an honest vote, if you will, on how the service and overall experience was wherever we go and whatever we do.

See, then you'll not only feel good, you'll be doing the individual and the business a giant favor. Automatic and instant feedback.

Just remember that NOT giving a tip is legitimate feedback, too, but only if you're doing it on principle, not because you're a cheap bastard.

OK, rant over.

But I guarantee there are workers in other industries I didn't mention who are especially worthy of tips. So, who am I forgetting?