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?
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