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Last night we ate out at a local restaurant, and the waitress handed us the hand-held credit/debit card payment device to pay. There was an option to indicate a dollar amount for a tip, but the display had 3 quick click options - the lowest was 18% (which I selected). The others were 25% and 30%. Either of those would require really exceptional service. For me 15% is about the average, if the service is mediocre 10%, and I have (rarely) gone as high as 20%.
While 30% is high, 15% hasn't been standard in more than a decade. 15% represents mediocre service, while 20% is closer to average.
Actually, not always; you'll find a 15% tip is often automatically added to the bill.
I tried out an Asian restaurant near me last year. Apparently, they decided had customers that were simply not tipping so they made it where it wasn't optional and they wrote it into the menu. In cases where a gratuity is automatically added to the bill, I don't add any more to the tip to bring it up to 20%. I find it presumptuous to assume they were getting a tip because maybe their service really isn't that good.
I tip 20%, but I'm not convinced that is the going rate everywhere. I know some people would like it to be. I've heard from some waiters that it's more like 15%.
Automatic tips, generally included for large parties, must be disclosed.
A restaurant can’t simply add an automatic tip (if not disclosed) and compel a customer to pay it.
It's not exclusive to large parties; you'll find it in better establishments as a preventative measure to protect waitstaff against your way of thinking (and it's disclosed on the menu); the point is a tip is not always voluntary.
I tried out an Asian restaurant near me last year. Apparently, they decided had customers that were simply not tipping so they made it where it wasn't optional and they wrote it into the menu. In cases where a gratuity is automatically added to the bill, I don't add any more to the tip to bring it up to 20%. I find it presumptuous to assume they were getting a tip because maybe their service really isn't that good.
I tip 20%, but I'm not convinced that is the going rate everywhere. I know some people would like it to be. I've heard from some waiters that it's more like 15%.
I'll add more if the service was excellent and/or it contributed to the evening in a positive way. If it was satisfactory, I'll leave it at 15% as well.
It's not exclusive to large parties; you'll find it in better establishments as a preventative measure to protect waitstaff against your way of thinking (and it's disclosed on the menu); the point is a tip is not always voluntary.
If it is compulsory, it isn’t a tip. It’s a service charge, regardless of what they call it.
If it is compulsory, it isn’t a tip. It’s a service charge, regardless of what they call it.
Tips ARE voluntary.
Actually, it specifically states it is on the menu (where applicable) i.e. 'A fifteen percent gratuity will be added to your bill', lol.
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