Automatic 20% Service Charge for 3 People Now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you people like it more when the servers were paid like indentured servants?

Nope. I’d prefer to stop tipping — and just have the price of the meal include whatever it costs to pay the staff, or a posted, standard service charge that applies to everyone. I think servers should be paid salaries — and not have to rely on the vagaries of individual customers.

[Anonymous]

The problem is that some of these restaurants want you to also tip on top of the service fee.

[Anonymous]

0% tips if there is a service charge

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:0% tips if there is a service charge

I went to a restaurant where they said the service charge don’t go to the waiter and he still wanted a tip (not in DC).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:0% tips if there is a service charge

I went to a restaurant where they said the service charge don’t go to the waiter and he still wanted a tip (not in DC).

I don't give a rat's assss what they say. They charge 20% on top of the bill I ain't leaving a tip. Expecting 30, 40, 50% on top of a bill in combined tip + service charges is grossly excessive.

The waiter should take up their issue with their employer, not the customer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you people like it more when the servers were paid like indentured servants?

I like it in countries where they are treated like employees not independent contractors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:20% is standard everywhere and is often already added to the bill no matter the party size. If it’s not, the suggested tip typically starts at 18% and ends at 25%. The thing is, this isn’t really a tip anymore based in n service level. Restaurants are acknowledging that they are not really a viable business with their current food prices so they need the extra 25% to pay their employees - it’s just a fee. We have stopped eating out as a result. Not because I’m disgusted with tipping - I agree that those employees should be compensated fairly. But it no longer makes economic sense for us to eat out because of the extra fees.

Did you not regularly tip when you ate out before?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is obnoxious. But since you said it’s El Paso Cafe, I’d have to give it a pass because their steak fajitas are so good. And the service is usually great. But we rarely eat out anymore because it’s just stupidly expensive.

I wouldn’t have tipped anything extra and I always tip 20% anyway. So it would have been a minor annoyance but a total wash.

Why is it an annoyance? You usually tip 20%, and they just automatically tipped 20% for you. I don't understand the issue with service charges. Is it because you are afraid that you will mistakenly tip above and beyond the charge?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't expect there to be an auto grat on a bill for 3 people and I would probably not have noticed and left a tip on top. Unless they tell you verbally and make it very obvious on the bill--it shady as hell.

[Anonymous]

I think the lesson here is that everyone needs to ask or check their bill before tipping. The tip may have already been added for you (which is a good thing -- let's get away from this stupid "tipping" culture).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is obnoxious. But since you said it’s El Paso Cafe, I’d have to give it a pass because their steak fajitas are so good. And the service is usually great. But we rarely eat out anymore because it’s just stupidly expensive.

I wouldn’t have tipped anything extra and I always tip 20% anyway. So it would have been a minor annoyance but a total wash.

Why is it an annoyance? You usually tip 20%, and they just automatically tipped 20% for you. I don't understand the issue with service charges. Is it because you are afraid that you will mistakenly tip above and beyond the charge?

OP here - yes. If I hadn't looked closely I would've added another 20%. not expecting this for a 3-people meal. hence the question.