Gratuity charge - am I the only one?

Question

Am I the only one who, when a restaurant automatically adds a gratuity charge, refuses to pay it?

Answer 1

Apparently not!

Your Twin doesn't either!

She has more answers than you though!

Answer 2

I don't think so, lots of women don't tip.

Personally: I usually leave about 20% but if they add 15% gratuity, I do not leave an additional 5%.  EXCEPTION: Large parties.  If I'm with a large party, adding 15% is perfectly acceptable and I'd still tip more if the service was good.

If your average is 10% for a tip, you must not be in America and if that's the case, the general rule-of-thumb for tipping might be very different.

Answer 3

IF THE service was not up to standard then I deduct it from the bill.

Answer 4

dunno, there's probably lots of tightfisted people out there, I'm sure you will meet like-minded people.

Answer 5

My rule is, Tip well for good service, bad or indifferent service, don't tip at all !, As for gratuity being added, I have also contested this.

Answer 6

I dont think that you shouldn't pay it, because it is automatic. Your issue should be "I had bad service and dont want to pay it." Being a waiter/ess is really hard work, and you wouldn't believe the amount of people out there who think they shouldn't tip because the waiter is doing their job. I aways tip well for good service, mainly because that makes or breaks the experience. I can get a burger anywhere but I can't say the same about good service....

Answer 7

just you

Answer 8

if the service is good then thats what they get tipped. which is usually less than what I would have left. And i dont leave the difference.

Answer 9

yes you are the only one. Usually if theres more than 6 people then theres a 10% gratuity charge and I think thats fine. I used to work as a waitress, getting paid minimum wage, get treated like **** by the customers and the people I work with --- the only thing that made me feel good is when a customer told me they enjoyed the food and the service and maybe even gave a tip. I think gratuity charge should be made compulsary like in France because waitresses work their arses off and received very little money.

Answer 10

I agree wholeheartedly with you. It is our right to give a tip if the provider of the service deserves it. It is not the right of the provider to demand it.

Answer 11

I don't always pay the automatic gratuity.  If the service was really poor, I've gone to the manager and didn't have to pay it.

The sad part is that I am a big tipper (min 20%) for decent service.  I've had to work for tips before so I know what it is like to get stiffed.  When the restarurant adds a gratuity it is often 15% or 18%.  They would have been better off letting me tip what I wanted to.

Answer 12

Gratuity is normally added for large parties.  It usually consists of 15% or more.  A lot of places its a policy and it's stated on the menu.  Where I work (corporate) we have to grat parties of 8 or more.  That way if another party of 8 isn't gratted the party that was gratted can't say that we are discriminating.  A large party takes a lot more time to take care of than a smaller party.  And a larger party takes up tables longer as well.  If a table has one party that stays there for a long time that server does not make any money.  It's kind of like a compensation for the server that way they are making money.  Nothing sucks worse than a large table sitting for hours and getting a crummy tip.

Answer 13

they probably add the gratuity to YOUR check because they recognize you and the servers are sick of you tipping them with food stamps. stay home and eat ramen noodles with your cockroaches!

Answer 14

If there is a large group I don't mind at all thats not easy work. However a small group two or three then no. I know it is harsh but I only tip if they have put the effort in then I am really happy to show appreciation and more than the loose change in my pocket a decent amount. If you just dump my plate on the table then tough luck I am afraid live off your wages or earn a tip. Same as everything manners take you far in the world. and cost you nothing,

Answer 15

i think of the tipping as an extra for the underpaid waiters if they make you welcome you tip them and make them happy