Dining Etiquette Tipping?

I've primarily noticed this in local Mexican resaurants. How should one tip when there is a tip jar for the "cooks" at the cash register. When I eat at the counter and am waited on by both the waitress and one of the cooks is there a cultural rule of thumb to go by? While I am in no way stingy in tipping, when the cook behind the counter takes my order, gives me my meal, and usually gets either my drink or the salsa/chips, tipping 20% to the waitress seems a little too much.

I guess I agree that this is kind of a mild shakedown to boost the overall tip, but on the other hand, it's going to be on top of 20% of what? Probably a pretty cheap price. So hey, you may just have to go with it and look at what your total bill is.

Fortunately at La Fogata, G Wiv calculated tip, not me...

Bruce wrote:How should one tip when there is a tip jar for the "cooks" at the cash register?

It depends on how well the cooks can see you when you're standing there and whether or not you plan to return.

I'm only half-joking about the "plan to return" part. Places where I really appreciate what they do and I go to often, I'll throw a buck or two in the jar in addition to my tip to the waitress. But, then again, I'm an over-tipper.

Best,
Michael