Mandatory Gratutity - Am I being unreasonable?

[+ DynamicUno]

I went to a brunch place near my house this weekend that I hadn't been to in a while.  It's a local chain, a normal table-service type place with a brunch type menu priced a bit upmarket for my area.  I was dining solo, just coffee and an entree.  The service was excellent, food was served  lightning fast, the portions are generous (if a bit mediocre tasting), and the server was attentive.  The place was lively, but not packed.

When the check arrived, I thought the total was a bit high, then I noticed the tip line said "Additional gratuity".  Then I noticed that 18% gratuity has already been calculated in.  Seeing that, I added a small amount to approximate my normal 20% tip and left.  

This "little thing" has me never wanting to go back again.  I'm accustomed to (and expect) gratiutiy being added for large parties or certain special events, but don't think it should be done for normal size parties and especially not solo diners.  Also, there's was no signage (that I saw) or note on the menu about the gratuity policy. 

It feels dishonest, almost like they're expecting that many of their customers won't notice and calculate their tip as they normally would.  It also feels like it puts me in a weird spot where the pre-calculated gratity is a little lower than I would normally add, but adding a small makeup amount feels just as bad as leaving nothing.  

I won't be back because of this tip policy.  Am I being unreasonable, and this is just the way things are going with our tipping culture?

 

[wsc]

Not at all unreasonable, in my opinion, and their practice is insulting to me as a customer.

Not only would I tell them I won't be back, but also that I am deducting their 18% tip and signing both their copy and mine showing the reduced amount, with photos showing date and time of the photos. And I would make sure my bank is aware and knows not to process the ticket for any other amount the business presents. Then I'd give my server a $20 bill for his/her tip; I want to f*ck the business, not the servers. BTW, I doubt the business would miss me, and I know I wouldn't miss them.

[KeepItReal]

1 hour ago, DynamicUno said:

I went to a brunch place near my house this weekend that I hadn't been to in a while.  It's a local chain, a normal table-service type place with a brunch type menu priced a bit upmarket for my area.  I was dining solo, just coffee and an entree.  The service was excellent, food was served  lightning fast, the portions are generous (if a bit mediocre tasting), and the server was attentive.  The place was lively, but not packed.

When the check arrived, I thought the total was a bit high, then I noticed the tip line said "Additional gratuity".  Then I noticed that 18% gratuity has already been calculated in.  Seeing that, I added a small amount to approximate my normal 20% tip and left.  

This "little thing" has me never wanting to go back again.  I'm accustomed to (and expect) gratiutiy being added for large parties or certain special events, but don't think it should be done for normal size parties and especially not solo diners.  Also, there's was no signage (that I saw) or note on the menu about the gratuity policy. 

It feels dishonest, almost like they're expecting that many of their customers won't notice and calculate their tip as they normally would.  It also feels like it puts me in a weird spot where the pre-calculated gratity is a little lower than I would normally add, but adding a small makeup amount feels just as bad as leaving nothing.  

I won't be back because of this tip policy.  Am I being unreasonable, and this is just the way things are going with our tipping culture?

 

Would be my assumption that most of us would like this standard gratuity fee to be disclosed ahead of time. I usually tip so the amount of the fee included wouldn't be a big deal for me. Haven't run across this yet, but no doubt I will eventually. My bigger concern is whether the "gratuity" is now reaching the staff or if it is being shared with the business/owners/managers.

[CuriousByNature]

It seems like one more way that some businesses are avoiding paying their staff liveable wages.  Making it the customer's responsibility to augment the pay to a more liveable rate, while reaping the benefits of increasing menu item pricing and reducing portion sizes.

[MikeBiDude]

I’ve mentioned before I consult and work in the F&B industry. It’s tough right now, and really tough in California with a new minimum wage JUST for fast food workers.

That said, I deplore the idea of the tip added in like that. California is also working on legislation that would prohibit “service fees” which are becoming popular in many restaurants. Watch your dining check!

[pubic_assistance]

I've noticed a service fee being automatically added in various "resort" areas and places like Beach Clubs in luxury communities.

I think the insulting part is that there's a line for a tip.

I don't mind the service fee, but I do mind being tricked into adding another service gratuity on top of the already added gratuity.

[+ sync]

In my area (upstate NY) It's been common practice for some time to have percentage-for-tip options when paying in restaurants, but, so far, I have not had any gratuities pre-added into the checks.

I did have a situation with ShopRite.  When ordering online there are different options for tipping the delivery person, which I thought was a nice convenience in that it meant that I did not always have to have cash upon delivery.  Then one of the delivery persons told me that when that option is selected on ordering, the tip is included in the delivery persons pay and taxed.  That being the case I have resumed tipping the delivery person with cash.  🫤

[+ DynamicUno]

I could see a mandatory gratuity in places like Las Vegas that see a lot of international visitors that might come from countries where tipping is not common, as long as the menu and check clearly state that gratuity is added.   I can't see that justification for a suburban midwest restaurant that sees mostly local business.  

I have also seen pre-calculated tip suggestions more frequently, which normally doesn't bother me.  Done right, it's a minor time-saver.  A recent place I went to in the Cleveland subburbs had theirs set up starting at 20%, however which was mildly annoying.  At least there was a line where you could calculate your own tip if you wanted.  

I have a work trip to Vegas next month, I'll have to see what kind of shenanigans I see on the restaurant tabs there.

 

 

[+ JamesB]

As I mentioned in another thread, I believe the tipping culture in the US is getting out of hand. Nowadays, a tip is expected for almost everything. The other day, I went to a self-serve counter that sells snacks and soft drinks. I grabbed some chips and a Coke, and when I got to the self-checkout, there was an option for tipping. Who am I tipping, myself?

I've also been to a couple of places where the tip was already included in the bill, and there was a tip line. I understand that Orlando sees many international visitors who might not be aware of the local tipping culture, but it feels like they’re hoping people won't notice and will add a full tip on top. I'm not saying this is definitely the case, but it certainly feels that way to me. In those situations, I choose not to leave any additional tip. The way I see it, the establishment has already decided on and set the expected tip amount. Even if it's lower than what I usually tip, that’s all they get.

[+ azdr0710]

6 hours ago, DynamicUno said:

I went to a brunch place near my house this weekend that I hadn't been to in a while.  It's a local chain, a normal table-service type place with a brunch type menu priced a bit upmarket for my area.  I was dining solo, just coffee and an entree.  The service was excellent, food was served  lightning fast, the portions are generous (if a bit mediocre tasting), and the server was attentive.  The place was lively, but not packed.

When the check arrived, I thought the total was a bit high, then I noticed the tip line said "Additional gratuity".  Then I noticed that 18% gratuity has already been calculated in.  Seeing that, I added a small amount to approximate my normal 20% tip and left.  

This "little thing" has me never wanting to go back again.  I'm accustomed to (and expect) gratiutiy being added for large parties or certain special events, but don't think it should be done for normal size parties and especially not solo diners.  Also, there's was no signage (that I saw) or note on the menu about the gratuity policy. 

It feels dishonest, almost like they're expecting that many of their customers won't notice and calculate their tip as they normally would.  It also feels like it puts me in a weird spot where the pre-calculated gratity is a little lower than I would normally add, but adding a small makeup amount feels just as bad as leaving nothing.  

I won't be back because of this tip policy.  Am I being unreasonable, and this is just the way things are going with our tipping culture?

 

a very polite and professional inquiry to the on-duty manager about this policy might have clarified it.......I've never heard of this for solo diners in a conventional US restaurant......

old-money WASPy types in the US do what you did: don't complain and never return.........

Edited May 27, 2024 by azdr0710

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

4 hours ago, wsc said:

Not at all unreasonable, in my opinion, and their practice is insulting to me as a customer.

Not only would I tell them I won't be back, but also that I am deducting their 18% tip and signing both their copy and mine showing the reduced amount, with photos showing date and time of the photos. And I would make sure my bank is aware and knows not to process the ticket for any other amount the business presents. Then I'd give my server a $20 bill for his/her tip; I want to f*ck the business, not the servers. BTW, I doubt the business would miss me, and I know I wouldn't miss them.

Better yet, just pay in cash.

Pay cash to the restaurant the amount of menu prices and and tax, then cash tip to the server.  Express your displeasure of "mandatory" gratuity to the Owner, then walk out the door.  Let them call the police on you if they have a problem with you paying that way.  After all, you already have no intention of coming back.

[Beancounter]

I am a fairly decent tipper, 20% in most instances.  Call me a curmudgeon, though, when it comes to cash tipping so the individual receiving the tip can avoid paying income and other taxes.  In some professions individuals can shield thousands of dollars of income from taxes while people who play by the rules pay their fair share.  Granted, not all employees who depend on tips are getting thousands of dollars in tips but a large number of individuals do circumvent the tax laws.  When given the option to work for an hourly rate or a low base rate plus tips, a survey showed most employees want the low base rate plus tips.  I wonder why. 😉 
 

This type of employee is only hurting himself.  While the non-taxed cash provides immediate gratification his social security benefit will be reduced in the future due to his not reporting cash tips.  And then he wonders why his SS benefit is so low.  I could go on and on about this topic but I’ll leave it here.  Bring on the naysayers.  

[wsc]

4 hours ago, pubic_assistance said:

I've noticed a service fee being automatically added in various "resort" areas and places like Beach Clubs in luxury communities.

Several places I frequent have added a fee for non-cash payments and which amounts to about 4% of the bill. I've been told this covers the cost to the establishment charged by the card company, such as Visa or Amex. These fees used to be absorbed by the business, but frequent increases have driven some businesses to pass these costs on to their customers. Of course, using cash would eliminate this extra charge, but carrying enough cash requires more planning and may eliminate spur-of-the-moment spending, sometimes making it less convenient. This sort of thing used to be "part of the cost of doing business," and was considered when determining the price of goods or services provided, in the same way as rent and utility costs are considered. I see this as a micro-managed form of penny-pinching that merely pisses off their frequent customer base who -rightly or wrongly- feel they deserve better.

A bar I used to go charged for ice if you ordered a drink "on the rocks." Yes, ice costs the business money, whether they buy it in bags or make it in an ice machine (takes more electricity and water). But adding a line on the bill for "Ice ... $1.00" just rubs most people the wrong way. Eventually they stopped charging for ice - when they closed the business for lack of business. 

No idea why they didn't just add 25 cents to the cost of everything and call it good. It's one thing to raise the price; it's another to rub your nose in it.

[Luv2play]

I have a different take on this subject than that expressed by most here. I lived and or worked for years in Europe and got used to “service compris”, or service included in restaurants with full service. This was added to the bill but not set out in a separate itemized price. 
 

Nowadays in Canada I find restaurants are using machines for payment that offer a few alternatives for tipping, like 18, 20 or 25 percent. I usually opt for 20 but if something was amiss, then 18. If the meal was presented in a superlative fashion I’ll go 25 percent. That’s rather rare. 

[BSR]

7 hours ago, Beancounter said:

I am a fairly decent tipper, 20% in most instances.  Call me a curmudgeon, though, when it comes to cash tipping so the individual receiving the tip can avoid paying income and other taxes.  In some professions individuals can shield thousands of dollars of income from taxes while people who play by the rules pay their fair share.  Granted, not all employees who depend on tips are getting thousands of dollars in tips but a large number of individuals do circumvent the tax laws.  When given the option to work for an hourly rate or a low base rate plus tips, a survey showed most employees want the low base rate plus tips.  I wonder why. 😉 
 

This type of employee is only hurting himself.  While the non-taxed cash provides immediate gratification his social security benefit will be reduced in the future due to his not reporting cash tips.  And then he wonders why his SS benefit is so low.  I could go on and on about this topic but I’ll leave it here.  Bring on the naysayers.  

The IRS assumes a tip income and collects taxes on 9% of the total checks for a server, 10% of the meter total for taxi drivers.  Mind you, in most parts of the country, servers & cab drivers make more than 9-10% in tips, but there are a few areas where it could be that low or (eek!) less.

[+ GoingGood]

I frequent a place in Houston that adds an 18% gratuity but only on the weekends.  I usually tip more so I asked the waiter why they are doing this.  He said that the weekend crowd is a different demographic that generally tips poorly and that the bar and wait staff do not want to work weekends knowing they won’t make as much money.  Thus, management added the mandatory gratuity for weekends to make sure they would have adequate staff. 

[+ robear]

A wrinkle in the "suggested gratuity" calculations is that sometimes they are done on the cost of food and drinks PLUS tax.  In NYC, restaurant tax is 8.875%, a significant addition to the check.  Including that amount in the tip calculation, whether you do it yourself or use the "suggestion" significantly bumps up the tip.

[soloyo215]

21 hours ago, DynamicUno said:

I went to a brunch place near my house this weekend that I hadn't been to in a while.  It's a local chain, a normal table-service type place with a brunch type menu priced a bit upmarket for my area.  I was dining solo, just coffee and an entree.  The service was excellent, food was served  lightning fast, the portions are generous (if a bit mediocre tasting), and the server was attentive.  The place was lively, but not packed.

When the check arrived, I thought the total was a bit high, then I noticed the tip line said "Additional gratuity".  Then I noticed that 18% gratuity has already been calculated in.  Seeing that, I added a small amount to approximate my normal 20% tip and left.  

This "little thing" has me never wanting to go back again.  I'm accustomed to (and expect) gratiutiy being added for large parties or certain special events, but don't think it should be done for normal size parties and especially not solo diners.  Also, there's was no signage (that I saw) or note on the menu about the gratuity policy. 

It feels dishonest, almost like they're expecting that many of their customers won't notice and calculate their tip as they normally would.  It also feels like it puts me in a weird spot where the pre-calculated gratity is a little lower than I would normally add, but adding a small makeup amount feels just as bad as leaving nothing.  

I won't be back because of this tip policy.  Am I being unreasonable, and this is just the way things are going with our tipping culture?

 

I don't think that you are being unreasonable. That policy is. I have seen suggested gratuities, and now those suggestions are starting at 20% (I saw a place suggesting a 30% tip!), as if we are mandated to tip people and they are entitled to demand tips. That's not what tips are for or about. Tips are optional, period. Just because servers depend on tips to make a living doesn't mean that we are obligated to tip. It's not a requirement.

I would have placed in a review mentioning that bad policy, or contacted the restaurant directly to complain about that distasteful and pushy policy of trying to force people to tip. Probably you might not be the first person to complain about it.

[+ sniper]

18 hours ago, pubic_assistance said:

I've noticed a service fee being automatically added in various "resort" areas and places like Beach Clubs in luxury communities.

I think the insulting part is that there's a line for a tip.

I don't mind the service fee, but I do mind being tricked into adding another service gratuity on top of the already added gratuity.

Much like the "resort fee" in Vegas doesn't go to the housekeepers,  the "service fee" doesn't go to the servers. I don't even fully trust that credit card tips always get to the server unless it's a large chain that likely has software for it.

As for the concern about tax, there is an assumed tip percentage that tax is calculated on and comes out of the servers' paycheck for the checks where the tip wasn't reported. Waiters can and do get audited and slapped with fines for assumed underreporting and the IRS does not have the burden of proof, they just have to show that you served a certain dollar amount.

Edited May 28, 2024 by sniper

[+ sniper]

Pre-pandemic, I had increased my tipping to regularly something like 25% because food prices had lagged inflation considerably. But lately restaurant food has gone up more than everything else, so I'm back at 18-20% now. They're still making more than before.

Edited May 28, 2024 by sniper

[pubic_assistance]

14 minutes ago, sniper said:

Much like the "resort fee" in Vegas doesn't go to the housekeepers,  the "service fee" doesn't go to the servers. I don't even fully trust that credit card tips always get to the server unless it's a large chain that likely has software for it.

I agree.

I generally tip with cash.for that reason.

I also know that many corporate owned restaurants chains (where I end up sometimes when I travel) toss all the tip money into a kitty and split it up evenly. Which defeats the whole purpose of tipping for exceptional service in MY mind.

[+ BOZO T CLOWN]

2 hours ago, pubic_assistance said:

 

I generally tip with cash for that reason.

 

Absolutely!
Tipping in cash should be de rigueur.
If management decides to split all tips among the staff, of keep it themselves, what good is leaving a big tip if the server won't see it.
If you want to reward service that goes above and beyond, anything other than cash is useless.

BTC

[topunderachiever]

Hardly anyone carries cash these days, except maybe... clowns.  😜

[KrisParr]

I’ve started carrying a modest amount of cash, less than a hundred. Recently, I stopped by Subway (I know, I know) and inserted my card to pay. Several choices for a tip appeared and I asked the cute young man if he received the tip or was it split among other servers. He quietly said that he had no idea, but he thought it was probably split. Maybe it was his boyish grin, or his efficient service that made me remove the card and pay in cash.  I handed him a nice tip for himself. After all, he was the one who gave me good service, so why diminish it?

[Monarchy79]

On 5/27/2024 at 10:46 AM, DynamicUno said:

I went to a brunch place near my house this weekend that I hadn't been to in a while.  It's a local chain, a normal table-service type place with a brunch type menu priced a bit upmarket for my area.  I was dining solo, just coffee and an entree.  The service was excellent, food was served  lightning fast, the portions are generous (if a bit mediocre tasting), and the server was attentive.  The place was lively, but not packed.

When the check arrived, I thought the total was a bit high, then I noticed the tip line said "Additional gratuity".  Then I noticed that 18% gratuity has already been calculated in.  Seeing that, I added a small amount to approximate my normal 20% tip and left.  

This "little thing" has me never wanting to go back again.  I'm accustomed to (and expect) gratiutiy being added for large parties or certain special events, but don't think it should be done for normal size parties and especially not solo diners.  Also, there's was no signage (that I saw) or note on the menu about the gratuity policy. 

It feels dishonest, almost like they're expecting that many of their customers won't notice and calculate their tip as they normally would.  It also feels like it puts me in a weird spot where the pre-calculated gratity is a little lower than I would normally add, but adding a small makeup amount feels just as bad as leaving nothing.  

I won't be back because of this tip policy.  Am I being unreasonable, and this is just the way things are going with our tipping culture?

 

The key to this?

 

let go of the self-induced shame that’s been programmed in our heads about tipping “etiquette”.

 

if the restaurant has already calculated a tip amount in the pricing…..

1.) don’t feel obligated to tip more, and 

2.) if you’re not happy about this, don’t dine at that particular establishment anymore.