Steve Calvin wrote:

> Goomba38 wrote:
>
>> pennyaline wrote:
>>
>>> "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.
>>>
>>>
> <snip>
> > One can see it on many a menu, not just the menus of those folks in
>
>> parties of 6 or more. Fern bar type restaurants have it (Applebees,
>> Ruby Tuesday, etc.) as well as most chains and nicer restaurants. That
>> you've never noticed it doesn't mean it's uncommon, because it is most
>> certainly not.
>> Goomba
>>
>
> We have that here. When I see it I always just pay the amount on the
> check. If the service was good I will "slip" the wait-person (trying to
> be politically correct) some cash. If it wasn't, I won't. Either way, I
> tell the wait-person to tell their boss that they're potentially
> screwing them because if the tab says that the tip is factored in then
> that's what people will give when in practice people may give more if
> the service was good and it is voluntary vs mandatory.
>
As a former waiter, I favor the mandatory 15% tip for parties of 6 or
more. In the end, the net result was positive for me, for I remember the
many parties of 6 +, who left crappa rata for tip, or none at all. More
of these than you think.

I always offered excellent service beyond the call of duty. Perhaps the
reason why many patrons asked for me, or wouldn't dine at the Clam Broth
House in Hoboken if I was not working that day.

And if I remembered a party that gave no tip or crapy tip, I would
continue to provide them with the same service. The logic, perhaps they
can learn a lesson on what humble and sincere is, perhaps they will get
it right the second time around.

Rich

--
"Dum Spiro, Spero."

As long as I breath, I hope.

Cicero