Is this America?!

[Speed8098]

A group of guys go into a pizza place in NY.

The service sucked

This happened.

http://www.optonline.net/News/Article/Feeds?CID=type%3Dxml%26channel%3D32%26article%3D12463110

:wtf:

[Citizen Daryl]

1. If it's mandatory, then it's not a tip.

It's an 18% service surcharge.

[Speed8098]

3. Sorry, but you're rong

From Websters:

Main Entry: gra·tu·ity
Pronunciation: gr&-'tü-&-tE, -'tyü-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ities
: something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service; especially : TIP
Bold type is mine, but the definition has not been altered.

If they want to add a service charge, then they should not call it a gratuity.

It'll be a cold day in hell before I'm forced to pay a "tip" when the service sucks. I'll happily go to jail and invite my local newspaper to the court proceeding.

[depakid]

2. A simple solution

Pay everyone a living wage- which will create a culture where tipping is not only unnecessary, but is actually perceived as offensive.

Travel abroad and you may find and see what I mean.

[FloridaPat]

8. It does seem to work well in Europe. It was a pleasure not to have

to figure out the tip in a foreign coin.

[robbedvoter]

4. Never eat at a place called Sopranos. (Badabing - maybe) eom

[Deja Q]

5. Both make compelling points. I say let Judge Wapner handle it.

Wait, he's gone. Marilyn Milian is now the Judge, but Wapner's name is a tad more recognizable right now.

http://www.geocities.com/southernerwriters/peoplescourt.html if they want to make a case. This is all small claims, of course and both participants get $5k for just showing up.

[rfranklin]

6. I was charged 15% for a buffet this week....

at an Indian restaurant. I know the owner and I also know that the "gratuity" will not end up with the waiters (who provided minimal service.) I think this will become more prevalent if we allow it and it'll end up being tacked onto everything from haute cuisine to fast food burgers.

[union_maid]

7. There's nothing new about a mandatory gratuity

It's tacked on as a surcharge and large parties regularly stiff the wait staff. I'm on the restaurant's side here. Also, as a patron, I'm happy to see that because if you're a decent tipper and you go somewhere with a large party you're often faced with the choice of either making up the tip or being party to leaving an inadequate one.

Buffets are different, of course. The wait staff doesn't provide full service and the standard should be different.

[Brian_Expat]

9. If there's no notice on the menu, prominently, that a "gratuity". . .

. . . is mandatory, then it shouldn't be legal.

Besides, mandatory gratuity is an oxymoron.

The cost of labour should be factored into the food price, not added on because restaurants are too cheap to pay their staff a decent wage. I don't get a "gratuity" after delivering on a really good project -- I get a paycheque.

[baldguy]

10. you've never worked in a resaurant, have you?

Servers get up to 1/3 of their *meager* income from gratuities. A minimum tip should be recieved for minimum service - in this case that's 18%.

I don't think cheap-ass bastards like this should be ALLOWED to dine out.