20% Service charge at Miami Beach restaurants

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love this way of doing things, because it means the wait staff doesn't have to schmooze. They get their tip anyway. Such a relief not to have to deal with the banter. We can communicate on a more equal level.

It also means they can give bad service and not care as they will get their 20% regardless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was in Miami recently and asked the server/bartender if she was going to get it. She said yes. So no more tipping in Miami!

It's been this way in Miami for at least 20 years. They get too many international customers who don't know you're supposed to tip in the US they just put it on there automatically. You're not expected to tip on top of the 20%.

It's this. Very common in places that see a lot of international tourists.

[Anonymous]

It’s so dumb though. Everyone should just mark up their food and alcohol by 20%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Then they shouldn’t ask for another tip. They say well don’t tip if you don’t want to but they put you in an awkward position.

+1 I am all for getting rid of "tipping" and just adding a 20% service charge in all restaurants. But I always see the extra tip line even though they have a service charge. They are trying to either fool you or guilt you into paying extra money. Definitely a pet peeve of mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would tip 0, and I'd avoid restaurants charging a "service fee."

Then you won’t eat at a restaurant in Miami Beach.

They won’t be missing much. Miami Beach and South Beach restaurants are terrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was in Miami recently and asked the server/bartender if she was going to get it. She said yes. So no more tipping in Miami!

It's been this way in Miami for at least 20 years. They get too many international customers who don't know you're supposed to tip in the US they just put it on there automatically. You're not expected to tip on top of the 20%.

This!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would tip 0, and I'd avoid restaurants charging a "service fee."

Then you won’t eat at a restaurant in Miami Beach.

They won’t be missing much. Miami Beach and South Beach restaurants are terrible.

This. Yeah, you'll get a few places that are top notch, but dining in South Beach is no longer a thing like it was 20 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Brickell has much better food.

[Anonymous]

Just stop eating out. The quality of the food is generally substandard and not organic. They don’t wash the vegetables. Who knows about the hygiene of the employees cooking the food since you never see them. Pests in the back or in the food? Who knows?

[Anonymous]

We go every winter. When I asked about it, they said what others have written... they get so many international travelers who don't otherwise tip.

[Anonymous]

Why not just go the extra step and charge 20% for everything and do away with tipping culture and service charges?

[Anonymous]

This has been going on since I was dating my ex in 2002. This is standard for Miami and always has been because international tourists think leaving 10 bucks on the table for a 1.5k tab is appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love this way of doing things, because it means the wait staff doesn't have to schmooze. They get their tip anyway. Such a relief not to have to deal with the banter. We can communicate on a more equal level.

It also means they can give bad service and not care as they will get their 20% regardless.

I guess. In Miami in particular I've seen more customers who want to treat staff like straight up slaves so I'm pretty comfortable with them getting their 20 percent. It would be insane for them to spend several hours with a big table and get a cool 5 bucks on a 2k tab even providing "bad service" so this evens it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love this way of doing things, because it means the wait staff doesn't have to schmooze. They get their tip anyway. Such a relief not to have to deal with the banter. We can communicate on a more equal level.

It also means they can give bad service and not care as they will get their 20% regardless.

I guess. In Miami in particular I've seen more customers who want to treat staff like straight up slaves so I'm pretty comfortable with them getting their 20 percent. It would be insane for them to spend several hours with a big table and get a cool 5 bucks on a 2k tab even providing "bad service" so this evens it out.

This. You feel awkward saying no tip on top of the 20% (and you shouldn't) while there are people who do not feel awkward in this world at all leaving 5 bucks on a huge tab. They are the ones who should feel shamed, but they don't (and probably never will) so this is a fine solution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just stop eating out. The quality of the food is generally substandard and not organic. They don’t wash the vegetables. Who knows about the hygiene of the employees cooking the food since you never see them. Pests in the back or in the food? Who knows?

Difficult not to dine out when you’re on vacation.