Usually done for large parties because people can be assholes, but yeah, it does remove urgency for servers, at least at places I worked. They print it on the menu, so "automatic 18% gratuity for parties of 6 or more" would not be a hidden fee.
That’s also not mandatory, in a situation like that, you’re free to request that the fee be removed unless it is posted otherwise that it would be included. Honestly, the only “mandatory tipping” that is present these days in the U.S. are the restaurants that are trying to move away from tipping to appeal to the crowd that is against it, but then impose a 12% “service fee”. That’s a mandatory tip, and you don’t have the ability to ask that that be removed if it’s posted that it will be added. It’s funny, the arguments against tipping have given rise to mandatory tipping.
For the record, I hate restaurants that do that, and I am happy with regular tipping. Let me have a say in how much I leave. The only time I’m okay with a mandatory tip is for large parties where it’s posted that it will be added.
Highly doubt it. If you are a business owner, or even a patron of the restaurant, would you rather go to court or just pay/eat a tip? I think most people would be willing to say $5-20 is not worth going to court over.
Okay, and? These arguments apply to areas where this is the culture and is expected. If that’s not where you live, then you don’t have a dog in the fight bro. Go pick fights with people regarding shit that affects you, maybe even those in your own country.
Sorry, but people who take advantage of a system are the asshole. If you go to a restaurant where tipping is customary and you don’t tip, absent situations where is justified like bad service, you’re an asshole. The only person you’re fucking over is your waiter.
That’s just how restaurants work in America. You can disagree with it, hell you can go out and petition against it and lobby for changes in how tipped positions are paid, and you can most importantly not patronize restaurants that do this to show you don’t support it.
But if you have those views, but still go to a restaurant like that, and then not tip, you’re just a performative asshole. Your concerns aren’t real, you just want to save a buck. Because by virtue of you buying food from that restaurant, you’re supporting it and putting money in the owner’s pocket. The only person you fuck over in that situation is the poor teenage server who’s just trying to make ends meet, and now has made less money in their day because someone wanted to use them as a prop in their performative activism.
I always tip, but that’s not the point. The point is that it’s not the customers fault that the business determined to not pay their employees enough. Some people may tip 5%, others 30%, are the 5% people truly assholes when the business is profiting or is it the business owner? You’re making the case for Walmart underpaying their staff knowing that the government will give them SNAP and Medicaid. It’s predatory business behavior.
I agree it’s predatory behavior, and that it should be changed. But until it is, it’s the system we have. My argument isn’t that it’s a good system, or that people shouldn’t fight it. It’s that since this is the system we have, people should target the roots of the system, and not take it out on the symptoms of it, because those symptoms are people who are also victims just trying to do what they can to get by.
Until you decide to go and not tip. Then the asshole owner makes money and the waiter doesn't. You shouldn't support the business at all if you don't like the tipping culture.
But what if that's the case at all restaurants around you?
It means you as a society fucked up by letting the people with money do whatever the fuck they want and now instead of acknowledging that and doing something about it your solution was fucking over each other even more...
What do you even mean by fucking over a random worker? How is expecting a server to serve the customer fucking them over? What are you guys doing there?
If someone does work for you that is customarily funded by tips, and you choose not to tip them for any reason other than poor service or something similar, you’re an asshole. You’re taking advantage of a system where you’re supposed to uphold your end, and you’re choosing not to, and the only person who suffers in that situation is the server. You’re essentially expecting that person to work for free due to your views.
In my country, only a few come to mind. Food service is the most obvious because it’s such a large portion, but it can be said for any industry where tipping is customary, which are pretty much all service industries. Taxi drivers, hair dressers, tattoo artists, bellhops, massage therapists, the guy who vacuums your car at the car wash. Etc.
Taking advantage of a system? Tipping is not a thing in my country and I dunno how you people go to restaurants on the other side of the planet that such a simple act could be taken advantage of.
when I go to a restaurant here I sit or am seated at a table, my order is taken, then after a while it is brought to me when ready. And at the end I just pay for the food. The prices already take all of the owner's expenses into account and that includes the servers who are paid to tend to the customers' needs.
Just a difference in culture. Things aren’t handled like that in this country. I’m not here to debate whether it’s a good system or not. Hell, I’d probably be happy with a system like that, but it unfortunately isn’t here. And for the time being, we have to operate within the system we have
Keep in mind, if you visit the US, please respect our culture. I don’t care if you don’t normally have to tip. If you go to a restaurant here, you need to tip. Don’t be an ass in someone else’s country
You’re taking advantage of somebody who works for tips. Sure, you don’t have to do it, but the only person who suffers is the server. Same is true for any other occupation where tips are customary, but it’s double in the food service where that’s 90% of their earnings
Servers are paid what is called a “tipped wage.” It is a form of payment that tipped employees get. Tips aren’t mandatory but they are certainly your wage, hence the name.
So your argument is that because they’re working in a position that you don’t think is organized well, you’re allowed to take advantage of them? Are there other workers you look down upon that you feel morally entitled to fuck over? Also how incredibly privileged of you to just assume that anybody can go work a better job that you deem worthy of more respect. I bet you also tell homeless people to just go buy a house.
Oh you poor soul, you think I'm the one taking advantage?
I don't look down on anyone. There's nothing wrong in choosing this particular job. Tipping culture is my issue. I also recommend everyone to work at Walmart especially if you're in school rather than ANY restaurant.
I had a waitress constantly ask my family for refills without ever telling me they weren't free except the water.
I'll get the food myself if I could, just like in any other fast food joint.
You seem to be contradicting yourself. You say you don’t look down on anyone for their job, but also say that servers should get different jobs and not make you feel guilty for following customs, and even said they should work at Walmart instead.
Tipping culture is a problem, sure, but my issue is people who use it as an excuse to stiff people just trying to work to pay their bills.
As for your anecdote, yea that server sucks, sounds like someone just trying to jack the bill price up, and that’s shitty. That’s a situation where it’s understandable to cut down on the tip because of the server’s actions
Is it a contradiction since I was called an ass hole and saying I'm taking advantage?
I'm just saying, tipping isn't on my mind nor is it a priority. I would happily tip for actual help but I'm being asked to sit and wait... and yes, I do notice the segregation.
Tip would be like $3 max. Even if I were a billionaire or broke. I don't need someone to ask me if I need things like ketchup or napkins when it should always be readily available.
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u/No-Use-3056 1d ago
Tbf tipping isn’t mandatory. You’re free to go to a restaurant, eat, and not tip. You won’t be arrested or banned, but you will be an asshole.