"Melba's Jammin'" wrote:
> You've never seen that before? It is VERY common for an 18% gratuity to
> be added to the check for any group larger than 8 (I think) around here.

Nope. Never seen it before.

But then, I've never taken a party of 6 to 8 people into a restaurant
without a reservation and without having negotiated the service and
(all-inclusive) price beforehand.

Please see my response to Dog3.