How stupid am I??? I had no idea that sonic carhops made at or above minimum wage. I always thought they made the sub-minimum and have always tipped them accordingly. I don't go there very often, but when I have I have always tipped under that assumption. Wow!! Not that I mind, but had I known I might have just given them change rather than a couple of bucks each time. My sister used to work there many, many years ago, and she made less than minimun and thats what I always based it on.

I tip at a restaurant depending on the service.
I don't like that tipping has become a mandatory thing. Many moons ago, you tipped because of excellent service, or didn't because of poor service.
Now you are required to tip even if you get poor service.

I have recieved some pretty bad service where I live, and I can tell you there are many times I don't want to tip, but I still do give at least the 15% tip.