Dog3 wrote:
>
> Melba's Jammin' >
> :
>
> > In article > , Dog3
> > <dognospam@adjfkdla;not> wrote:
> >> Well, the restaurant was within it's rights to prosecute. It's
> >> considered theft of services here and there is a fine and possible
> >> jail time. OTOH, never have I heard of any establishment actually
> >> pursuing a patron like this.
> >> Michael
> >
> > But what if the service sucks, Michael? It happened to a group of
> > women when we went to dinner. The waiter was rude, inattentive, and
> > the service was sorely lacking. With 18% added for the privilege. We
> > were not demanding anything beyond basic good service. We wondered if
> > he was po'd because we're not a big drinking group and there wasn't
> > much of a liquor tab. I don't know if anyone complained -- I didn't
> > do anything but grumble along with the rest. Shame on me.
>
> If the service sucks, talk to the manager. I've been in that same
> situation and management took it off the check and we tipped like 8%. I
> think there is much more to this than the published article stated. Never
> have I heard of such a bullshit thing to do to a patron. I can't help but
> think the guy ****ed everyone off in the restaurant, including other
> patrons with obnoxious behavior. Something else had to happen besides his
> refusal to leave the full tip.

What I can't figure out is how he got away without
paying the gratuity. In my experience when there is
a mandatory gratuity (usually 12% when I've come across
it - if I'd seen 18% I'da got up and walked out without
ordering) for a large party they add it into the bill
for you. So when they present the bill it's already
included in the total. Only thing you could do would
be to just leave the cash on the table and walk out
without waiting for the waiter to come pick up the
check and money or cards. You definitely couldn't do
it if you were using a credit card. If the restaurant
is not adding it into the bill then I would say that
you shouldn't have to pay it if the service was bad.

Kate

--
Kate Connally
“If I were as old as I feel, I’d be dead already.”
Goldfish: “The wholesome snack that smiles back,
Until you bite their heads off.”
What if the hokey pokey really *is* what it's all about?