20% Service charge at Miami Beach restaurants

[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%.

International travelers. Riiiiight. It's domestic trash. Same trash who ruined spring break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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%.

International travelers. Riiiiight. It's domestic trash. Same trash who ruined spring break.

It's really not. Americans can be incredibly rude about many things, but having an issue with tipping in restaurants is not generally one of them.

[Anonymous]

We stayed in Miami Beach for a few days before a cruise and we were confounded by this 20% service charge. We've never come across this, but see it all the time in the UK and Europe, which it is usually 12.5 - 15%. We were further confused by the line "Additional Tip". Having travelled in America many times, we are happy, and understand the need, to tip. But this seems disingenuous to charge for service and then "suggest" more tip. We ened up paying 30% gratuity, which all our American friends agreed was too steep. Next time, I will be confident enough to write 0 on the extra tip line.

[Anonymous]

I’m rich by accident of birth so I pretty much just hit yes on any tipping screen presented to me and I’m grateful I wasn’t supposed to have cash.

My dream is a hotel with a screen to tip for housekeeping because I hate having to remember to get cash for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am staying in Miami Beach this week with my family. Every restaurant here charges a 20% service charge.

When I pay on digital card reader, it asks another 5%, 10% or 15% tip on top of the service charge. I feel bad to hit “no tip” in front of the server, but am I supposed to tip extra? How much would you tip?

PLEASE TELL ME WHICH RESTAURANT DOES THIS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We stayed in Miami Beach for a few days before a cruise and we were confounded by this 20% service charge. We've never come across this, but see it all the time in the UK and Europe, which it is usually 12.5 - 15%. We were further confused by the line "Additional Tip". Having travelled in America many times, we are happy, and understand the need, to tip. But this seems disingenuous to charge for service and then "suggest" more tip. We ened up paying 30% gratuity, which all our American friends agreed was too steep. Next time, I will be confident enough to write 0 on the extra tip line.

PLEASE TELL ME WHICH RESTAURANT DOES 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.

Agree. I went to South Beach once (once is plenty), twenty years ago and the food was terrible. Everything was marked up crazy high and none of it was that good. South Beach, other than some of the art deco buildings, did not impress. It seemed like everybody was there cosplaying being rich.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Get food from Subway
Try chipotle, Wendy’s or whole foods in store food
If you are feeling adventurous, ikea

[Anonymous]

Never eat anywhere on Ocean Drive, seriously.

[Anonymous]

Miami, DC, Virginia, or Maryland. I do not tip extra on top of a service charge. I don’t tip at self-serve kiosks or if I order standing up.

[Anonymous]

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!

+1

If this happens to me, I definitely ask the server if they get the 20% service charge to remind them that I am not "stiffing" them when I do not add any additional tip. They still probably feel insulted, but it makes me feel better about the interaction.

If a server went above and beyond, then I will add an additional 5 to 10%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Get food from Subway
Try chipotle, Wendy’s or whole foods in store food
If you are feeling adventurous, ikea

Subway and Chipotle include tip prompts when you are checking out.

[Anonymous]

This is normal. People should have tipped 20% so the restaurant industry wasn't forced to add the surcharge. If you can't afford it, don't eat out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is normal. People should have tipped 20% so the restaurant industry wasn't forced to add the surcharge. If you can't afford it, don't eat out

I rarely eat out, when I do, I go in with a budget in mind and look at the prices of the food before ordering.
I think the restaurant should be more honest in their pricing.
A small print on the back of the menu is not enough.
Every other business is transparent in pricing. Why do restaurants get away with this?

[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!

+1

If this happens to me, I definitely ask the server if they get the 20% service charge to remind them that I am not "stiffing" them when I do not add any additional tip. They still probably feel insulted, but it makes me feel better about the interaction.

If a server went above and beyond, then I will add an additional 5 to 10%.

I asked a server in Miami Beach. He told me that the service charges go into a tip pool and doesn't go directly to the server.