Restaurants in FIFA World Cup host cities are slapping automatic 20% gratuities on checks, citing concerns that international visitors won't tip American-style. The move is spreading from Kansas City to Atlanta and Philadelphia as operators say they need to protect workers who rely on tips to make a living. Critics warn the mandatory charges risk driving away customers.
If I knew in advance that a restaurant I was going to eat at was doing this, they'd immediately go on my shit list in indelible ink and stay there forever. This whole tipping mentality is getting out of hand. Be nice, work hard for us, do a good job, and we'll reward you with a gratuity - a gift that says thanks you for making my time here more enjoyable.
Stick a service charge on my bill and the next call you'll probably make is to 911 - for one reason or maybe another. Juss' sayin'...
I do not have an issue with a flat service fee. In Europe that is 10%. If they are going to put a flat 20% that is excessive.
ReplyDeleteTips to make a living is the problem, if the restaurants paid enough to live on this would not be a thing. FWIW I have started having to read the receipt to see if they haven't already put an 18% or 20% "service charge" on the bill.
ReplyDeleteExactly. A tip is supposed to be a "thank you for the EXTRA service." Simply providing service is their job. The tip is supposed to be extra for extra. If a resturant ever put a service fee on my check they would never see me again. Many years ago I was doing bar tending in upscale resturants.. I was asked to fill in one night at a country club. They automatically put a 10% "service fee" on the tab. Okay, but we didnt get the "service fee". Im not sure but I think the bar manager was pocketing it. Not unusual in union bars. I never worked there again. Best place I ever bartended was a biker bar. Best tips ever, especially if you took their shit and gave it back. They also took care of any "problems" themselves plus no union bullshit.
ReplyDeleteGiven Europeans habit of not tipping -- and constantly telling us that tipping is immoral, I have no problem with adding 20% onto their bill. That said, one the anti-tippers leave, go back to normal. Good wait staff can make a lot of money on tips. Bad wait staff can find other employment.
ReplyDeleteOr how about employers pay the staff a decent wage and not offload that burden to the customer, you know, like they do in other countries!?
ReplyDeleteThis tipping thing is BS!
Nothing but greed everywhere you look.
ReplyDelete