Some restaurants in the US will charge gratuity/service fees. It’s basically a scam, where the restaurant just forces you to pay extra so their menu prices seem lower, and then that money doesn’t even need to go to the waitstaff like a normal tip. Not to say it doesn’t happen, but I don’t think anywhere around me charges a mandatory gratuity to every single customer, usually just to large parties where they will require more space and likely stay longer.
Just got back from a florida vacation with my family and my parents (7 total). Just about every place we went had the “mandatory large party gratuity” which was 18%. Honeslty felt relieved that was their expectation because i usually tip more than that
American restaurants are so fucked up it’s unbelievable.
In Europe, restaurants are mandated by law to show final price on menus - including all taxes. Zero math: if I order a €9 plate, that’s exactly what I’m expected to pay, period. I might let them keep the change from a €10 note if they were particularly friendly or the food was better than expected.
Edit: that “large parties fee” is particularly stupid. If I’m making reservations for a larger group, I’ll probably discuss a menu with them ahead of time. This way they get to prepare ahead of time, and I get a cheaper price.
Also why not go in as 4 + 3 instead of 7, and avoid the fee altogether?
How come nobody talks about that service fee.
What is that even supposed to be? Is that an arbitrary increase to all prices because fuck you?
Some restaurants in the US will charge gratuity/service fees. It’s basically a scam, where the restaurant just forces you to pay extra so their menu prices seem lower, and then that money doesn’t even need to go to the waitstaff like a normal tip. Not to say it doesn’t happen, but I don’t think anywhere around me charges a mandatory gratuity to every single customer, usually just to large parties where they will require more space and likely stay longer.
Just got back from a florida vacation with my family and my parents (7 total). Just about every place we went had the “mandatory large party gratuity” which was 18%. Honeslty felt relieved that was their expectation because i usually tip more than that
American restaurants are so fucked up it’s unbelievable.
In Europe, restaurants are mandated by law to show final price on menus - including all taxes. Zero math: if I order a €9 plate, that’s exactly what I’m expected to pay, period. I might let them keep the change from a €10 note if they were particularly friendly or the food was better than expected.
Edit: that “large parties fee” is particularly stupid. If I’m making reservations for a larger group, I’ll probably discuss a menu with them ahead of time. This way they get to prepare ahead of time, and I get a cheaper price.
Also why not go in as 4 + 3 instead of 7, and avoid the fee altogether?
Because i want to be with my family?
And you don’t avoid the fee. You just tip 18 or 20% anyway. This way it just goes straight on your bill instead
Fuck me? No. Fuck you!