"A.C." > wrote in message ...
> i'd be interested to see how the legal system handles this one.
>
>
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...20040910/ap_on
_fe_st/small_tip_arrest

I wish they would eliminate this practice in the U.S. A gratuity is by
definition *voluntary*. This reminds me of a required "donation" that many
organizations ask for.

Restaurants should pay their waitstaff what they're worth and not rely on
the public to do it for them. If not, the "gratuity" should be renamed a
service charge or something like "labor for services rendered" and the
proper education be done to the public at large. Then if the customer wishes
to tip in addition to that, then it's between the customer and the
waitstaff.

I think a reform would be better for everyone, and would reduce the possible
animosity between waitstaff and customers, and place it where it needs to
be. It would be better for all concerned. This business of not paying
waitstaff even minimum wage in some cases and relying on tips for their
income is bad for all concerned.

Larry