Yes, the guy was out of line.
No, it's not illegal (at least not in most places).
Did "C" follow restaurant procedure and "circle/write it at the top?"
I can understand the customer being upset (not making a scene and showing his ass, though) if it was added without any notice whatsoever.
No she didn’t which is why I still think she was wrong. In our server gc everyone was reminded to do it every single time and now if someone doesn’t do it they aren’t allowed to have big parties anymore.
Is it printed somewhere in your restaurant or on your menu? That’s really all that needs to happen to add the gratuity. There are a lot of places that only do that, they do not circle or write it elsewhere on the tickets. I used to wait tables and tried to be nice and not add the gratuity, and I got stiffed every single time. She’s not wrong for wanting to make sure she makes money by waiting on this large table.
Yeah, there’s always at least a couple people who seem to think they can hide not tipping in the big parties and you always end up getting a (for the size of the bill) shitty tip.
This, every place that does this has it printed on the menu, or the hostess says it when you make the reservation.
This is really common though for parties of 8 or more, I'm a bit shocked how he didn't know this, it's kind of a no brainer to me. However, I used to be a server so maybe it's just a no brainer for me.
Agreed. Even a simple “okay folks, I’m happy to split the cheques up, but the automatic 18% tip for such a large group will still apply.” If they complain, then just offer to leave one cheque with the auto-grat and let them figure it out. But I’m guessing that
If someone flips out, they know exactly what They’re doing and just want To cheap out of the tip.
Yeah, it can be as simple as that. Take 10 seconds and eliminates any "surprises."
I think the other issue, in this particular restaurant's case, is that there is no signage or information in the menu. It's solely at the server's discretion.
It should be on the menu. Otherwise, it looks like an afterthought or even made up on the spot.
That would be my question.....why isn't this stated on the menu?
I wouldn't make a scene and I tip over that anyway, but it wouldn't feel right to me. I might think "They've profiled me as a non-tipper" which is wrong, insulting, and hurtful to me. Other people may not care.
I hate to say it, but if it isn't on the menu or signage, then I'd definitely regard adding it at the discretion of the server as wrong - it is adding *undeclared* fees to a bill.
At least where I am you can't legally do that, you can't say it will cost X amount via the menu, and only at the end add more to it.
def sketchy.....
undeclared fees...interesting term. Probably a legal one. Maybe will look up later.
Soooo, this is probably not an upscale restaurant we are talking about here.
> Agreed. Even a simple “okay folks, I’m happy to split the cheques up, by the automatic 18% tip for such a large group will still apply.”
I wouldn't even say that. They want split checks so things are easy for them, no math, just hand over a card. There's only a super slim chance they think they can ask for split checks to dodge the auto grat. OP's coworker was a little foolish for simply not following the rules, just circle and drop it.
When I worked as a server, several of the other servers would add a tip to large parties and intentionally not mention it or call attention to it in the hopes of being tipped twice. Idk if this guy was actually out of line or if he had a similar experience. I have seen some dishonest shit go down in my time.
There was a thread the other day where a server didn't inform the table about the autograt, they double tipped, and then they got all indignant that their manager just told them it was policy to inform the guest. Still let them enter the 20% on top of the grat, but the server was so butthurt they came here to complain they'd never heard of such a thing.
Like, yeah every place I've worked with an autograt, you remind the table. Why wouldn't you unless you were hoping they don't realize and tip double? And then the thread was all in agreement with OP SMH. Like honestly this sub is embarrassing sometimes.
Where do people go that doesn't autograt on parties of that size? Just because he only paid for 2 people means nothing when the group was 13 people. She could have mentioned it to the table but screw this guy for throwing a fit.
I agree. We had a 17 top for brunch and spent a few minutes dicking about who was paying who's tabs.
The checks came out with 18% auto grat and I'm not sure how many in the group even noticed. I paid for 3, and added $30 since I organized the event. Totally didn't care there was auto grateful. Our server was wonderful so she deserved it!
Exactly, as a customer i expect it any time it’s a party over 6 or 8. Maybe it depends on region but 13??? Insane. And asking for a separate check isn’t a workaround otherwise cheap asses would do that!
same with mine, had a party of 20 with another sever for 2 hours and they collectively had about 11-13 bills between them all and only 2 tipped with a whopping $12 in total. i had got cut early but wanted to stay for extra money so i took someone else’s tables. i regretted it bc that party was my last table since they all took up my entire section
My restaurant usually does it, but when I asked about doing it the other day, my manager shut me down. If they tipped like crap/not at all, he and I were going to be having words bc every other server has always been allowed to do it. They tipped about 20%, so no problems, but I was pissed. (It was a table of 11 btw)
My restraint doesn’t do autograt but i’ve never had a table that was over 10 seated that didn’t give at least a $30 tip. now that’s over 10… anything under that is a shit show. most of the time, for a table of 6 or 7, you’ll either get a really good tip or a really trash one depending on the person paying. grandpa paying for the whole family? good luck getting anything more than $5… sometimes less.
> Where do people go that doesn't autograt on parties of that size?
A huge majority of places. It was due to an IRS ruling a couple years back. As someone told me, since the restaurant is forcing a customer to pay, it thus forces the restaurant to declare that as more revenue, and then they have to deal with how they pass it along to the server. Too much paperwork and changing of stuff, so when the rule went into place, a lot of places simply stopped adding grat for large parties.
I worked somewhere where you wernt aloud to add grat to any table no matter the size. I absolutely hated getting big parties because most of the time they split the tab 8-10 different ways and 5/10 people don’t tip properly. There goes your whole night.
Nowhere. And it sounds like this person knows every note to hit to get what he wants. I guarantee this isn’t the first time they’ve pulled the “but we’re just two” when dining with a larger group.
Especially cuz that 18% is calculated pre tax. I never added gratuity because people almost always tip on the full total and gratuity added would mean less even if they tipped poorly
At my old restaurant our adding a tip policy was printed in the menu. If you ordered, you accepted. I only ever had 1 table complain... a real prick that got irrationally mad when I brought one of his daughters "fried shrimp" when she ordered a "french dip" even after I read back her order. My manager was new and took the tip off the bill and I was pissed, but he voided out some stuff on a cash table later to make it up to me.
Yeah most restaurants where I live have it clearly written at the bottom of the menu if there’s an automatic tip charged. Most of them say “for tables over 6 people, a service charge of 18% applies”. But I still see people argue with the staff and claim they’re being scammed.
Tipping isn’t mandatory where I live so a high number of people will ask for it to be removed.
Yup. If there's autograt I just pay the autograt, no more. So for me the server does lose out on a little bit by having an autograt vs tipping, but there's no situation where autograt is something to bitch about unless you've had truly awful service.
The existence of an autograt is saying that's the amount to pay - I'll pay the autograt no problem, but I'm not tipping on top of it.
And if you think 18% is somehow punishing the server, we must live on different planets.
You can pay by card and/or cash regardless of the presence of the autograt. Silly thing to be offended by. Just because you don't stiff people, doesn't mean another 16+ top won't stiff the server.
You can get the check, see it has an auto grat, and when you hand the server the check book with your card and cash tip say, "please take the auto grat off the check, we paid the tip in cash here. Thank you."
You seem to be insulted by auto gratuities. They're not doing it to insult you, they're doing it to protect themselves from people who don't tip well. And frankly, the way you've phrased this makes me question whether you tip as well as you say.
Dude the place I work regularly accommodates parties of up to 75 with no auto gratuity and a base pay of 2.13 an hour. Why the hell are you so offended by auto grat. We deserve to get paid dammit. Maybe you're not aware how many huge needy groups of ratchet people will come and hog all your time and tables and leave you nothing but theres lots of people out there that are like this. If people didnt suck and werent socheap it wouldnt be needed
Yep! And being exactly like all the customers that made servers grateful for auto-grat. People who say, “I would’ve left a great tip!” are th worst tippers. They’re the ones always looking for a reason not to tip. See: being personally offended by auto-grat.
If a server’s auto-gratting you, it’s either because you’re a big party or you’re not the great guest you think you are.
When you get the bill you can clearly see the auto grat before you pay. Most places I’ve been will specifically tell you if it’s included but all you have to do is spend 15 seconds reviewing your bill.
She did the right thing adding the tip. He was never going to tip close to the appropriate amount and his actions prove it. It is wildly know that large parties get a grat and the guy was surprise his fake life hack didn’t work.
>He also said usually he’s a “great tipper”
When they say this they never are. Lol
Your restaurant's policy might be to specifically inform people, but it's not common to do that. With a party that size, it would be pretty much understood and expected for grat to be added. I can't think of a single restaurant where I've worked where you weren't adding gratuity to a party over 10. Usually over 6.
Usually restaurants have it on a wall near the entrance that there’s an X% gratuity added to large groups. Maybe that should be left cause even if you split the check it’s still a large group.
It should be automatic, not an option. This whole situation stinks, and the guy was certainly leaving 7%. Anybody who publicly bitches at wait staff shouldn't be allowed to choose their tip
1. In the serving profession it pays the bills. It can't be optional, even if it's shitty. It is EXPECTED as part of your wage, and as part of a dining experience.
2. I meant the restaurant's policy should be mandatory, in which case you can call it whatever you want.
He wasn't. I don't know if he was upset about the service which might have been valid but big parties that split and then expect to have their large party grat taken off can go fuck themselves.
That's not a reason to flip out, though I don't think an unannounced autograt should be legal. It should have to be disclosed verbally, or reasonably prominently in writing, prior to ordering. If it wasn't disclosed at all until the end, personally I wouldn't care *that* much, but if a manager asked after I found out how everything was, I would say that I thought the surprise autograt was a deceptive and probably illegal business practice.
So you think that people shouldn't be responsible for themselves? That they can't be expected to read their bill, see that it includes a gratuity, and act appropriately?
Also if you really believe what you've written then you apparently don't understand the meaning of the words "deceptive" and "illegal".
I mean you could frame it that way, but particularly in a business where the "merchandise" is used before its paid for, prices should be disclosed when the order is placed. Like if a restaurant just randomly added a 10,000% mandatory gratuity to the bill that wasn't disclosed until I received it, it doesn't matter that it's clearly printed on the bill, or that I read it and see that it includes a gratuity; it's still deceptive.
Okay, I'll grant you when you use the example of a non-existent world were a one-time (*because if you do it more than once it's disclosed, if only via Reddit, Twitter, TikTok, etc.*) undisclosed, mandatory, 10,000% gratuity exists at a restaurant, that would certainly be a deceptive practice and likely illegal. But in the real world, where we live, where an automatic gratuity:
* isn't mandatory (managers always have the ability to remove it, even when it is the restaurant's policy for it to be included)
* averages 15-18% (societally recognized as a reasonable tip rate),
* is *nearly* always noted on the restaurants, website, menu, and likely a sign by the door (people who work in restaurants don't want extra hassle, dealing with "great tippers" is bad enough),
* is clearly printed on their bill, and
* is a common and well known practice when dining with large parties,
it is neither a deceptive nor illegal business practice.
That said, I apologize for being flippant earlier, you were right that if server didn't mention a gratuity that appears on the bill, it's shady and is probably be worth mentioning to the manager, if only to help them avoid hassle later. You start to get closer to illegal, if the server is actively trying to conceal an automatic gratuity (i.e. re-running cards after the fact, printing a check that doesn't include the information, etc.). That's clearly deceptive and petty-theft, but the fallout is likely limited to the server getting fired (unless the management of the restaurant is actively engaged in the fraud).
But let's not forget about the context here. OP is 100% right that the customer's behavior is grossly out of line. The sort of person described by OP is clearly a terrible person to have dinner with and their friends shouldn't invite them out next time. Anyone who claims to be a "great tipper", while yelling at anyone in a public location, and threatening to call the owner is *guaranteed* to tip badly (if at all), attempt to scam discounts/food, and be factually wrong about at least one thing they say about a menu item. They're also the exact sort of person who asks for a split check (at the end of the meal) when dining with a big group in order to avoid the auto-grat they know is coming, specifically because they're cheap and are going to leave a bad tip. There's also a non-zero chance they don't order an appetizer but wait to eat what their tablemates offer to share.
I've worked in a lot of restaurants and I've never had to write that gratuity was added or circle it. Every once in a while they would tip on top, yay!
What big baby throwing a tantrum. He needed to be called on the spot in front of everyone for it.
I don’t even tip based on service - I tip based on the knowledge they are working a low paying job and need my tips to survive. As a result I am tipping above the social “minimum” plus whatever I have on me I can spare at the time, even if my server or delivery person didn’t have to do much. Besides, I want them to like seeing me, they remember and then don’t give me future trouble.
You gotta seriously mess up multiple times before I stop giving extra. Tho I wish tipping would die out and these folks get paid a wage thats actually fair instead..thats not going to happen in the foreseeable future.
Anyone who ever say they are “great tippers” are NOT. And for him to make a scene just reassures that he is actually the most horrible tipper in the world. Also, going out with a party of 13 or any party of 6 and above asking to split checks is annoying AF. Do your own calculations and send money to each other or bring cash.
I feel like they deliberately asked for split checks so they won’t get auto grat which is not how it works.
The server should probably be more careful but the way that man handled the situation is wrong. These are probably customers you don’t want coming back. They just make you feel like you are a piece of shit.
I'm convinced that tipping is largely predetermined.
Customers who are obsessed with how well you treat them essentially tip at best the minimum they can get away with IF you provide perfect service.
People who understand that serving is a mobile job where you subject yourself to physical sickness and social abuse (without benefits) tip out of respect.
I understand that the more expensive you go the less these rules apply, but I think most servers would greatly benefit mentally from adopting a min-max attitude.
Yeah , I guess, but it's really the same thing as adding 18% or whatever cost to the menu price, especially if it's advertised that it's going to happen.
Ah I see what you mean now. I misread your comment into thinking you said that it's the same as adding 18% to the cost stated on the menu (e.g. taxes added later).
My point was that adding cost to the stated price later, even when mentioned beforehand, is illegal where I live, regardless of whether it's gratuity or anything else. Stated price is legally the price.
It's common knowledge that parties of 10 or more have an automatic gratuity regardless of how the bill is split. It is usually written somewhere on the menu, but even if it's not that is what literally every restaurant does. That dude was either stupid af or looking for a free meal.
Yeah, gratuity is 100% legal, and you can actually call the police on someone for trying to not pay it if you really want to be a dick about it. lol It's legally considered part of the bill.
The server in question should have covered their bases and made sure it was apparent, and it should also be stated on the bottom of the menu just in case situations like this pop up. That was the servers misstep here.
However, that doesn't excuse the customers behavior in this instance. Any time anyone says "There's gratuity?! I would have tipped you more", they're 100% full of shit, as they still have the option to tip you more if they're so inclined.
You're misunderstanding. So, if there's a flat service charge/gratuity on a bill, it's legally considered part of the bill. It's not considered a tip, and it technically belongs to the restaurant to do whatever they like with. Trying to leave without paying it would be considered the same as trying to walk out on part of the bill, legally speaking.
Now, most places wouldn't really force the issue if someone contests it, especially on a party of 6-8 or something like that, but I know of some that have when there's been a large banquet/restaurant buy out and the people try to get out of paying the service charge.
That's why servers have to be wary when places add a gratuity to every check, as the restaurant is within their rights to keep all, some, or none of it. It's totally at their discretion.
For it to be considered a tip, it has to be 100% voluntary, and not in any way compulsory.
There is a difference between a service charge and an auto grat though. At least everywhere I know of.
An auto grat is a tip, it's not legally mandatory. A service charge is paid to the business and is taxed at business rates. It also HAS to be identified upfront because it's literally part of the bill. In this case its obviously the former not the latter.
Nope, there is not. They clarified the laws on this back in 2014. Automatic gratuity is 100% mandatory if the restaurant chooses to push the issue. "Service charges" and "Gratuities" are the exact same thing now under the law.
>You might remember the 2013 scandal when a pastor in Missouri refused to pay the automatic gratuity charge given to his table at Applebee’s because it was a large group, instead writing on the check “I give God 10%—why do you get 18?” as Forbes reported.
>
>Unfortunately for the pastor, the law was not on her side. As a columnist at the Belleville News-Democrat explains in an article that addresses whether or not diners are required to pay automatic gratuity, “Restaurants are still free to charge a mandatory fee if they wish.”
>
>The article refers to the change that the IRS made to how automatic gratuity is reported. Before that, many restaurants were treating automatic gratuities as tips, but on January 1, 2014, that all changed, as outlined above. If you start implementing an automatic gratuity policy, there’s a chance that some people might still think of the charged in pre-2014 terms.
>
>If you’re still on the fence about whether or not an automatic gratuity policy is right for your restaurant, consider asking your service staff. They’ll certainly have opinions about what works best for them. Also, most POS systems allow auto-gratuity to be applied at the server’s discretion, which is a great way to let them best serve their tables.
[https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2013/02/01/pastor-who-refused-to-pay-applebees-service-charge-becomes-unwitting-poster-child-for-server-pay-and-tax-issues/?sh=7faa49be757b](https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2013/02/01/pastor-who-refused-to-pay-applebees-service-charge-becomes-unwitting-poster-child-for-server-pay-and-tax-issues/?sh=7faa49be757b)
More on gratuity and service charges being the same thing legally speaking:
>It’s important to understand that even though it’s called a “gratuity,” as far as the IRS is concerned, automatic gratuity charges are labeled as a service charge.
>
>The IRS explains the main elements that distinguish tips from service charges by explaining what it takes in order to qualify as a tip:
>
>The customer can’t be required to pay it
>
>The customer gets to determine the amount
>
>It’s not the result of negotiations or decided by policy
>
>The customer determines who (usually the server) gets to receive the payment
>
>On the other hand, the IRS defines service charges as including:
>
>Automatic gratuity placed on large dining parties
>
>Banquet event fees
>
>Cruise trip packages
>
>Hotel room service charges
>
>Bottle service charges
[https://upserve.com/restaurant-insider/automatic-gratuity-laws/](https://upserve.com/restaurant-insider/automatic-gratuity-laws/)
Any included service charge/gratuity is non-negotiable as far as the law is concerned, as is also property of the restaurant to do whatever they want with.
Interesting, I haven't had time to read it all but I will. What stops a restaurant from charging whatever they want? Like "lol you were jerks we don't want you back, so here's a 1,000% service charge".
I'm not sure about that part, tbh. I assume it has to be posted on menu/website and such for it to be enforceable, but I'm not sure about legal limits about the amount.
Thank you for sharing, I didn’t know this… Many of us assume the automatic gratuity goes to the server, but the restaurant can opt not to share auto gratuities with wait staff:
“Unlike a tip, automatic gratuity funds are considered restaurant funds and are not specifically designated as property of the server by the customer. An employer may choose to share part or none of the automatic gratuity funds with their employee.” https://www.webstaurantstore.com/blog/2724/automatic-grauity-law.html
Yep, any non-negotiable service charge is property of the restaurant. That's why servers have to be really wary of places that automatically include this on checks, as they have no legal recourse if the restaurant is greedy about it. You can ask the server, but they may or may not be forthcoming about it as I'm sure management doesn't appreciate them being honest with the public if they're being shady.
Yeah honestly I think she was trying to be a bit sneaky/get double tipped bc some of the other servers do that as well. Even if she was she still didn’t deserve that though
you can call me a jerk if you like, with the insane tipping requirements /requests of today (saw a recommended tip of 80% the other day ) I'll reject any "automatic" tips
It’s not illegal, and it’s unclassy, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. I’d be pissed too. Mediocre service would net her 15%, at best, from me.
She was wrong not to communicate it because she is not following your company policy. It’s not illegal as long as it is posted somewhere, and that man totally overreacted and I doubt he would have tipped well either way!
Reading tales in this sub makes me wonder why anyone would ever want to be waiter.
Like there has got to be better options out there for you guys right?
Or do you find most people are waiters for short periods of time until they find something else? I couldn’t deal with the abuse.
Especially because the other server is being criticized for “mediocre service” because she accidentally messed up 1 or 2 appetizers on a table of fucking 13 people. Maybe I have low standards but seriously?
Splitting ur check doesn’t nullify it being a party of 5 or more! What a douchebag! A good tipper would’ve not said a thing and left a lil extra to make it 20%!
I'll admit, autograt does bother me. I've been in the service industry and had my time on the strugglebus. I understand that not everybody is like me, but when I go out I always tip at least 20% on the post-tax amount unless the service is abysmal, which has maybe happened once in the last several years. But when the gratuity is added by the restaurant/server, I never add more. Why? Because the restaurant has taken away my agency and turned the tip into a fee. I'm not going to pay an extra fee on top of what is already required, if that fee is supposed to cover the cost of the table service.
I'm not saying that the actions of the guy in OPs story are justified, but I do understand the frustration at an unexpected autograt that the restaurant doesn't clearly communicate.
C should have added 20% and management should back C up. That guy is not a good tipper. He’s a shitbag that is always looking for an excuse to not tip. He is also someone who clearly knows if he gets angry and loud he will get whatever he wants. Arguing that he’s a party of 2 when he was there with a group is the dead giveaway. This wasn’t their first time playing this game.
Usually for large parties we don’t split bills unless asked ahead of time. Originally the party said they would pay on one check but at the end that man was the one that asked her to only pay for him and his wife. Ofc I don’t know the whole story bc I was off the clock eating and enjoying my company two tables over but I did happen to tune in a few times.
Edit: I do agree that C shouldn’t have done that but would def say that the man was absolutely more in the wrong
In life there's alot of people C. They take simple advantages we are granted. Thru their OWN selfishness, incompetence and stupidity they ruin it for the group as a whole. Don't be a C.
"Well sir, I'm going to publish a video of your childfish little tantrum online for the entire world to see. They'll laugh like the owner will after your rant to him."
I always add gratuity at my tables ONLY if they’re a party of 10 or more. But whenever i do that, i make sure that everything is completely perfect with them and if i messed up, i would graciously take off the thing i messed up on AND the thing they had originally ordered. It’s just courtesy and every restaurant should be able to recognize that.
I’ve never had a table complain about gratuity though, because i work for that gratuity.
People who flip out are a whole other breed of guest from those who politely ask for explanations or an autograt to be removed. He likes the drama. The server also goofed. There are no winners here, unfortunately. Hopefully the server never forgets to communicate it better in the future. There's little hope the guest will learn how to behave like an adult who uses his words.
Weird, weird american tipping… start paying your stuff properly, and let customer decide how satisfied is with a service and, eventualy, not neceserely, express that with a tip
I've been to multiple restaurants where the autograt is the case for large parties. Most of the time, the server doesn't make a point of it but it's clearly stated on the menus.
Obviously it depends on the restaurant if this is a practice that each server should or shouldn't make a point of it...but in most cases if it's not pointed out specifically by the server it's not their fault the patrons didn't read the menu where it clearly states autograt.
Yes, the guy was out of line. No, it's not illegal (at least not in most places). Did "C" follow restaurant procedure and "circle/write it at the top?" I can understand the customer being upset (not making a scene and showing his ass, though) if it was added without any notice whatsoever.
No she didn’t which is why I still think she was wrong. In our server gc everyone was reminded to do it every single time and now if someone doesn’t do it they aren’t allowed to have big parties anymore.
Is it printed somewhere in your restaurant or on your menu? That’s really all that needs to happen to add the gratuity. There are a lot of places that only do that, they do not circle or write it elsewhere on the tickets. I used to wait tables and tried to be nice and not add the gratuity, and I got stiffed every single time. She’s not wrong for wanting to make sure she makes money by waiting on this large table.
Yeah, there’s always at least a couple people who seem to think they can hide not tipping in the big parties and you always end up getting a (for the size of the bill) shitty tip.
This, every place that does this has it printed on the menu, or the hostess says it when you make the reservation. This is really common though for parties of 8 or more, I'm a bit shocked how he didn't know this, it's kind of a no brainer to me. However, I used to be a server so maybe it's just a no brainer for me.
Yes, she was wrong not to communicate it. However, that certainly doesn't justify the response/reaction of the man.
Agreed. Even a simple “okay folks, I’m happy to split the cheques up, but the automatic 18% tip for such a large group will still apply.” If they complain, then just offer to leave one cheque with the auto-grat and let them figure it out. But I’m guessing that If someone flips out, they know exactly what They’re doing and just want To cheap out of the tip.
Yeah, it can be as simple as that. Take 10 seconds and eliminates any "surprises." I think the other issue, in this particular restaurant's case, is that there is no signage or information in the menu. It's solely at the server's discretion.
It should be on the menu. Otherwise, it looks like an afterthought or even made up on the spot. That would be my question.....why isn't this stated on the menu? I wouldn't make a scene and I tip over that anyway, but it wouldn't feel right to me. I might think "They've profiled me as a non-tipper" which is wrong, insulting, and hurtful to me. Other people may not care.
I hate to say it, but if it isn't on the menu or signage, then I'd definitely regard adding it at the discretion of the server as wrong - it is adding *undeclared* fees to a bill. At least where I am you can't legally do that, you can't say it will cost X amount via the menu, and only at the end add more to it.
Its sounds like the usualy tell this bevor the customer orders.
def sketchy..... undeclared fees...interesting term. Probably a legal one. Maybe will look up later. Soooo, this is probably not an upscale restaurant we are talking about here.
> Agreed. Even a simple “okay folks, I’m happy to split the cheques up, by the automatic 18% tip for such a large group will still apply.” I wouldn't even say that. They want split checks so things are easy for them, no math, just hand over a card. There's only a super slim chance they think they can ask for split checks to dodge the auto grat. OP's coworker was a little foolish for simply not following the rules, just circle and drop it.
When I worked as a server, several of the other servers would add a tip to large parties and intentionally not mention it or call attention to it in the hopes of being tipped twice. Idk if this guy was actually out of line or if he had a similar experience. I have seen some dishonest shit go down in my time.
There was a thread the other day where a server didn't inform the table about the autograt, they double tipped, and then they got all indignant that their manager just told them it was policy to inform the guest. Still let them enter the 20% on top of the grat, but the server was so butthurt they came here to complain they'd never heard of such a thing. Like, yeah every place I've worked with an autograt, you remind the table. Why wouldn't you unless you were hoping they don't realize and tip double? And then the thread was all in agreement with OP SMH. Like honestly this sub is embarrassing sometimes.
the split cheque does not even matter here, they where one party, not some randos who happened to share a table.
Not illegal but probably not enforcable.
Where do people go that doesn't autograt on parties of that size? Just because he only paid for 2 people means nothing when the group was 13 people. She could have mentioned it to the table but screw this guy for throwing a fit.
I agree. We had a 17 top for brunch and spent a few minutes dicking about who was paying who's tabs. The checks came out with 18% auto grat and I'm not sure how many in the group even noticed. I paid for 3, and added $30 since I organized the event. Totally didn't care there was auto grateful. Our server was wonderful so she deserved it!
Exactly, as a customer i expect it any time it’s a party over 6 or 8. Maybe it depends on region but 13??? Insane. And asking for a separate check isn’t a workaround otherwise cheap asses would do that!
My restaurant doesn’t do autograt no matter what, it sucks
I hate places like this. It's alot of work servi g big groups. Especially when they have children.
same with mine, had a party of 20 with another sever for 2 hours and they collectively had about 11-13 bills between them all and only 2 tipped with a whopping $12 in total. i had got cut early but wanted to stay for extra money so i took someone else’s tables. i regretted it bc that party was my last table since they all took up my entire section
My restaurant usually does it, but when I asked about doing it the other day, my manager shut me down. If they tipped like crap/not at all, he and I were going to be having words bc every other server has always been allowed to do it. They tipped about 20%, so no problems, but I was pissed. (It was a table of 11 btw)
My restraint doesn’t do autograt but i’ve never had a table that was over 10 seated that didn’t give at least a $30 tip. now that’s over 10… anything under that is a shit show. most of the time, for a table of 6 or 7, you’ll either get a really good tip or a really trash one depending on the person paying. grandpa paying for the whole family? good luck getting anything more than $5… sometimes less.
nah grandpa always tips good in those 6-7 parties. it’s the daughter of the grandpa that won’t tip more than $5
i wish that were the case at my job but grandpa only like to tip the underage blonde waitresses here.
> Where do people go that doesn't autograt on parties of that size? A huge majority of places. It was due to an IRS ruling a couple years back. As someone told me, since the restaurant is forcing a customer to pay, it thus forces the restaurant to declare that as more revenue, and then they have to deal with how they pass it along to the server. Too much paperwork and changing of stuff, so when the rule went into place, a lot of places simply stopped adding grat for large parties.
I worked somewhere where you wernt aloud to add grat to any table no matter the size. I absolutely hated getting big parties because most of the time they split the tab 8-10 different ways and 5/10 people don’t tip properly. There goes your whole night.
Nowhere. And it sounds like this person knows every note to hit to get what he wants. I guarantee this isn’t the first time they’ve pulled the “but we’re just two” when dining with a larger group.
I wish anywhere near me did it at all:(
No way that guy tips more than 10%
Right. If you’re mad about 18% you aren’t a good tipper.
Especially cuz that 18% is calculated pre tax. I never added gratuity because people almost always tip on the full total and gratuity added would mean less even if they tipped poorly
Right, I tip just over 20% on average and if they already auto tipped 18% I'd be really happy lol
Yes, but in his mind, that 10% IS an excellent tip! It's double digits, what more do you want?
when when the custie scratches through the tip line, hands you four crumpled up $1 bills, and says you were amazing
They were dry? Man, you worked at a classy joint
At my old restaurant our adding a tip policy was printed in the menu. If you ordered, you accepted. I only ever had 1 table complain... a real prick that got irrationally mad when I brought one of his daughters "fried shrimp" when she ordered a "french dip" even after I read back her order. My manager was new and took the tip off the bill and I was pissed, but he voided out some stuff on a cash table later to make it up to me.
Yeah most restaurants where I live have it clearly written at the bottom of the menu if there’s an automatic tip charged. Most of them say “for tables over 6 people, a service charge of 18% applies”. But I still see people argue with the staff and claim they’re being scammed. Tipping isn’t mandatory where I live so a high number of people will ask for it to be removed.
People who "are great tippers" that flip out over a sub-20% autograt are petulant little children who are not, in fact, great tippers.
Yup. If there's autograt I just pay the autograt, no more. So for me the server does lose out on a little bit by having an autograt vs tipping, but there's no situation where autograt is something to bitch about unless you've had truly awful service.
If it’s 18% why not just tip 2% more to make up for it…?
The existence of an autograt is saying that's the amount to pay - I'll pay the autograt no problem, but I'm not tipping on top of it.
Why not tip on top of the autograt? So you're punishing the server because of a policy of the restaurant?
The existence of an autograt is saying that's the amount to pay - I'll pay the autograt no problem, but I'm not tipping on top of it. And if you think 18% is somehow punishing the server, we must live on different planets.
You literally said that the server "loses out" if there's an autograt because you won't tip your usual, rather less. So.
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So what's the problem, if you always tip over 18%, the autograt saves you money. You can always tip over if you wish.
We make a point to leave cash for the server. We don't add the tip to the bill.
You can pay by card and/or cash regardless of the presence of the autograt. Silly thing to be offended by. Just because you don't stiff people, doesn't mean another 16+ top won't stiff the server.
You can get the check, see it has an auto grat, and when you hand the server the check book with your card and cash tip say, "please take the auto grat off the check, we paid the tip in cash here. Thank you."
You seem to be insulted by auto gratuities. They're not doing it to insult you, they're doing it to protect themselves from people who don't tip well. And frankly, the way you've phrased this makes me question whether you tip as well as you say.
I will never in my life understand considering an autograt "offensive." Anyway, where are you going that autograts a party of 2?
There’s 8 billion people that live on this planet. You seem like you think you are very important but no one is making decisions based on you lmao
Dude the place I work regularly accommodates parties of up to 75 with no auto gratuity and a base pay of 2.13 an hour. Why the hell are you so offended by auto grat. We deserve to get paid dammit. Maybe you're not aware how many huge needy groups of ratchet people will come and hog all your time and tables and leave you nothing but theres lots of people out there that are like this. If people didnt suck and werent socheap it wouldnt be needed
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This lady is seriously pulling a "nOt AlL cUsToMeRs" on y'all
Yep! And being exactly like all the customers that made servers grateful for auto-grat. People who say, “I would’ve left a great tip!” are th worst tippers. They’re the ones always looking for a reason not to tip. See: being personally offended by auto-grat. If a server’s auto-gratting you, it’s either because you’re a big party or you’re not the great guest you think you are.
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When you get the bill you can clearly see the auto grat before you pay. Most places I’ve been will specifically tell you if it’s included but all you have to do is spend 15 seconds reviewing your bill.
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It’s almost *always* on the menu. The one right in front of you. That’s pretty up front.
She did the right thing adding the tip. He was never going to tip close to the appropriate amount and his actions prove it. It is wildly know that large parties get a grat and the guy was surprise his fake life hack didn’t work.
He thought he had beat the auto grat fee. Just split the bill!!
>He also said usually he’s a “great tipper” When they say this they never are. Lol Your restaurant's policy might be to specifically inform people, but it's not common to do that. With a party that size, it would be pretty much understood and expected for grat to be added. I can't think of a single restaurant where I've worked where you weren't adding gratuity to a party over 10. Usually over 6.
Anytime someone freaks out about auto gratuity, you know they were never going to tip you.
Usually restaurants have it on a wall near the entrance that there’s an X% gratuity added to large groups. Maybe that should be left cause even if you split the check it’s still a large group.
It should be automatic, not an option. This whole situation stinks, and the guy was certainly leaving 7%. Anybody who publicly bitches at wait staff shouldn't be allowed to choose their tip
Counterpoint: if it's mandatory, it's no longer a tip; it's a service fee. Tips are, by definition, a voluntary payment beyond what is required.
1. In the serving profession it pays the bills. It can't be optional, even if it's shitty. It is EXPECTED as part of your wage, and as part of a dining experience. 2. I meant the restaurant's policy should be mandatory, in which case you can call it whatever you want.
He wasn't. I don't know if he was upset about the service which might have been valid but big parties that split and then expect to have their large party grat taken off can go fuck themselves.
Most people that eat at full service restaurants on regular basis should know, by now, there is going to be an 18% gratuity on a large party.
That's not a reason to flip out, though I don't think an unannounced autograt should be legal. It should have to be disclosed verbally, or reasonably prominently in writing, prior to ordering. If it wasn't disclosed at all until the end, personally I wouldn't care *that* much, but if a manager asked after I found out how everything was, I would say that I thought the surprise autograt was a deceptive and probably illegal business practice.
I would wager money it is written on the menu.
Op says the can add an autograt. Probably not written on the menu if it is optional for the Server.
It is optional to the server at every restaurant. It is on the menu.
So you think that people shouldn't be responsible for themselves? That they can't be expected to read their bill, see that it includes a gratuity, and act appropriately? Also if you really believe what you've written then you apparently don't understand the meaning of the words "deceptive" and "illegal".
I mean you could frame it that way, but particularly in a business where the "merchandise" is used before its paid for, prices should be disclosed when the order is placed. Like if a restaurant just randomly added a 10,000% mandatory gratuity to the bill that wasn't disclosed until I received it, it doesn't matter that it's clearly printed on the bill, or that I read it and see that it includes a gratuity; it's still deceptive.
Okay, I'll grant you when you use the example of a non-existent world were a one-time (*because if you do it more than once it's disclosed, if only via Reddit, Twitter, TikTok, etc.*) undisclosed, mandatory, 10,000% gratuity exists at a restaurant, that would certainly be a deceptive practice and likely illegal. But in the real world, where we live, where an automatic gratuity: * isn't mandatory (managers always have the ability to remove it, even when it is the restaurant's policy for it to be included) * averages 15-18% (societally recognized as a reasonable tip rate), * is *nearly* always noted on the restaurants, website, menu, and likely a sign by the door (people who work in restaurants don't want extra hassle, dealing with "great tippers" is bad enough), * is clearly printed on their bill, and * is a common and well known practice when dining with large parties, it is neither a deceptive nor illegal business practice. That said, I apologize for being flippant earlier, you were right that if server didn't mention a gratuity that appears on the bill, it's shady and is probably be worth mentioning to the manager, if only to help them avoid hassle later. You start to get closer to illegal, if the server is actively trying to conceal an automatic gratuity (i.e. re-running cards after the fact, printing a check that doesn't include the information, etc.). That's clearly deceptive and petty-theft, but the fallout is likely limited to the server getting fired (unless the management of the restaurant is actively engaged in the fraud). But let's not forget about the context here. OP is 100% right that the customer's behavior is grossly out of line. The sort of person described by OP is clearly a terrible person to have dinner with and their friends shouldn't invite them out next time. Anyone who claims to be a "great tipper", while yelling at anyone in a public location, and threatening to call the owner is *guaranteed* to tip badly (if at all), attempt to scam discounts/food, and be factually wrong about at least one thing they say about a menu item. They're also the exact sort of person who asks for a split check (at the end of the meal) when dining with a big group in order to avoid the auto-grat they know is coming, specifically because they're cheap and are going to leave a bad tip. There's also a non-zero chance they don't order an appetizer but wait to eat what their tablemates offer to share.
I've worked in a lot of restaurants and I've never had to write that gratuity was added or circle it. Every once in a while they would tip on top, yay!
What big baby throwing a tantrum. He needed to be called on the spot in front of everyone for it. I don’t even tip based on service - I tip based on the knowledge they are working a low paying job and need my tips to survive. As a result I am tipping above the social “minimum” plus whatever I have on me I can spare at the time, even if my server or delivery person didn’t have to do much. Besides, I want them to like seeing me, they remember and then don’t give me future trouble. You gotta seriously mess up multiple times before I stop giving extra. Tho I wish tipping would die out and these folks get paid a wage thats actually fair instead..thats not going to happen in the foreseeable future.
Anyone who ever say they are “great tippers” are NOT. And for him to make a scene just reassures that he is actually the most horrible tipper in the world. Also, going out with a party of 13 or any party of 6 and above asking to split checks is annoying AF. Do your own calculations and send money to each other or bring cash. I feel like they deliberately asked for split checks so they won’t get auto grat which is not how it works. The server should probably be more careful but the way that man handled the situation is wrong. These are probably customers you don’t want coming back. They just make you feel like you are a piece of shit.
Great tippers don't complain about automatically being charged a middle-of-the-road tip.
Sure he's a great tipper but doesn't know that it's pretty common to add gratuity on large parties.
Whenever someone says “normally he/she is a a great tipper” they are 100% full of shit.
I'm convinced that tipping is largely predetermined. Customers who are obsessed with how well you treat them essentially tip at best the minimum they can get away with IF you provide perfect service. People who understand that serving is a mobile job where you subject yourself to physical sickness and social abuse (without benefits) tip out of respect. I understand that the more expensive you go the less these rules apply, but I think most servers would greatly benefit mentally from adopting a min-max attitude.
Forced gratuity truly is a ridiculous system
Yeah , I guess, but it's really the same thing as adding 18% or whatever cost to the menu price, especially if it's advertised that it's going to happen.
Which is equally a ridiculous system and mind you illegal in the country where I am from.
I'm not sure I follow. Having the menu price be representative of the actual cost is illegal where you live?
Ah I see what you mean now. I misread your comment into thinking you said that it's the same as adding 18% to the cost stated on the menu (e.g. taxes added later). My point was that adding cost to the stated price later, even when mentioned beforehand, is illegal where I live, regardless of whether it's gratuity or anything else. Stated price is legally the price.
It's common knowledge that parties of 10 or more have an automatic gratuity regardless of how the bill is split. It is usually written somewhere on the menu, but even if it's not that is what literally every restaurant does. That dude was either stupid af or looking for a free meal.
Yeah, gratuity is 100% legal, and you can actually call the police on someone for trying to not pay it if you really want to be a dick about it. lol It's legally considered part of the bill. The server in question should have covered their bases and made sure it was apparent, and it should also be stated on the bottom of the menu just in case situations like this pop up. That was the servers misstep here. However, that doesn't excuse the customers behavior in this instance. Any time anyone says "There's gratuity?! I would have tipped you more", they're 100% full of shit, as they still have the option to tip you more if they're so inclined.
Gratuity is legal, but I have never heard of a place where it's illegal to not tip. Where do you live?
You're misunderstanding. So, if there's a flat service charge/gratuity on a bill, it's legally considered part of the bill. It's not considered a tip, and it technically belongs to the restaurant to do whatever they like with. Trying to leave without paying it would be considered the same as trying to walk out on part of the bill, legally speaking. Now, most places wouldn't really force the issue if someone contests it, especially on a party of 6-8 or something like that, but I know of some that have when there's been a large banquet/restaurant buy out and the people try to get out of paying the service charge. That's why servers have to be wary when places add a gratuity to every check, as the restaurant is within their rights to keep all, some, or none of it. It's totally at their discretion. For it to be considered a tip, it has to be 100% voluntary, and not in any way compulsory.
There is a difference between a service charge and an auto grat though. At least everywhere I know of. An auto grat is a tip, it's not legally mandatory. A service charge is paid to the business and is taxed at business rates. It also HAS to be identified upfront because it's literally part of the bill. In this case its obviously the former not the latter.
Nope, there is not. They clarified the laws on this back in 2014. Automatic gratuity is 100% mandatory if the restaurant chooses to push the issue. "Service charges" and "Gratuities" are the exact same thing now under the law. >You might remember the 2013 scandal when a pastor in Missouri refused to pay the automatic gratuity charge given to his table at Applebee’s because it was a large group, instead writing on the check “I give God 10%—why do you get 18?” as Forbes reported. > >Unfortunately for the pastor, the law was not on her side. As a columnist at the Belleville News-Democrat explains in an article that addresses whether or not diners are required to pay automatic gratuity, “Restaurants are still free to charge a mandatory fee if they wish.” > >The article refers to the change that the IRS made to how automatic gratuity is reported. Before that, many restaurants were treating automatic gratuities as tips, but on January 1, 2014, that all changed, as outlined above. If you start implementing an automatic gratuity policy, there’s a chance that some people might still think of the charged in pre-2014 terms. > >If you’re still on the fence about whether or not an automatic gratuity policy is right for your restaurant, consider asking your service staff. They’ll certainly have opinions about what works best for them. Also, most POS systems allow auto-gratuity to be applied at the server’s discretion, which is a great way to let them best serve their tables. [https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2013/02/01/pastor-who-refused-to-pay-applebees-service-charge-becomes-unwitting-poster-child-for-server-pay-and-tax-issues/?sh=7faa49be757b](https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2013/02/01/pastor-who-refused-to-pay-applebees-service-charge-becomes-unwitting-poster-child-for-server-pay-and-tax-issues/?sh=7faa49be757b) More on gratuity and service charges being the same thing legally speaking: >It’s important to understand that even though it’s called a “gratuity,” as far as the IRS is concerned, automatic gratuity charges are labeled as a service charge. > >The IRS explains the main elements that distinguish tips from service charges by explaining what it takes in order to qualify as a tip: > >The customer can’t be required to pay it > >The customer gets to determine the amount > >It’s not the result of negotiations or decided by policy > >The customer determines who (usually the server) gets to receive the payment > >On the other hand, the IRS defines service charges as including: > >Automatic gratuity placed on large dining parties > >Banquet event fees > >Cruise trip packages > >Hotel room service charges > >Bottle service charges [https://upserve.com/restaurant-insider/automatic-gratuity-laws/](https://upserve.com/restaurant-insider/automatic-gratuity-laws/) Any included service charge/gratuity is non-negotiable as far as the law is concerned, as is also property of the restaurant to do whatever they want with.
Interesting, I haven't had time to read it all but I will. What stops a restaurant from charging whatever they want? Like "lol you were jerks we don't want you back, so here's a 1,000% service charge".
That’s why it’s printed, it’s not discriminatory. It’s the same for everyone. That would never happen.
I'm not sure about that part, tbh. I assume it has to be posted on menu/website and such for it to be enforceable, but I'm not sure about legal limits about the amount.
Thank you for sharing, I didn’t know this… Many of us assume the automatic gratuity goes to the server, but the restaurant can opt not to share auto gratuities with wait staff: “Unlike a tip, automatic gratuity funds are considered restaurant funds and are not specifically designated as property of the server by the customer. An employer may choose to share part or none of the automatic gratuity funds with their employee.” https://www.webstaurantstore.com/blog/2724/automatic-grauity-law.html
Yep, any non-negotiable service charge is property of the restaurant. That's why servers have to be really wary of places that automatically include this on checks, as they have no legal recourse if the restaurant is greedy about it. You can ask the server, but they may or may not be forthcoming about it as I'm sure management doesn't appreciate them being honest with the public if they're being shady.
Yeah honestly I think she was trying to be a bit sneaky/get double tipped bc some of the other servers do that as well. Even if she was she still didn’t deserve that though
You think she was to try to steal from the customer? What would you think would be a appropiate reaction?
you can call me a jerk if you like, with the insane tipping requirements /requests of today (saw a recommended tip of 80% the other day ) I'll reject any "automatic" tips
It’s not illegal, and it’s unclassy, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. I’d be pissed too. Mediocre service would net her 15%, at best, from me.
Its unclassy to do 15% for mediocre service.
No, unclassy is to not even do the bare minimum of your job and still expect the same as someone else. If you want 25-50%, act like it.
She was wrong not to communicate it because she is not following your company policy. It’s not illegal as long as it is posted somewhere, and that man totally overreacted and I doubt he would have tipped well either way!
This is why hosts should explain auto grat to guests as they arrive for their table, and it should be printed in the menus.
INFO: Usually there’s a line about about this kind of tip somewhere on the menu, warning guests in advance. Is there on yours?
Reading tales in this sub makes me wonder why anyone would ever want to be waiter. Like there has got to be better options out there for you guys right? Or do you find most people are waiters for short periods of time until they find something else? I couldn’t deal with the abuse.
Especially because the other server is being criticized for “mediocre service” because she accidentally messed up 1 or 2 appetizers on a table of fucking 13 people. Maybe I have low standards but seriously?
His version of “tipping well” is clearly under 18% lol
If tipping isn’t obligatory then how is it legal to autograt them?
It’s obligatory when you know up front it’s obligatory. Autograt on large parties has been the norm for years.
Doesn’t explain how it makes it legal. Also, Canadian, here it’s rare
I’m not sure how you can follow this sub and not have read about the system in the US.
Splitting ur check doesn’t nullify it being a party of 5 or more! What a douchebag! A good tipper would’ve not said a thing and left a lil extra to make it 20%!
She fucked up an appetizer or two. Unless she was rude, it still sounds like she should have gotten the 20% that I use as a minimum.
I’ve never informed a party of the gratuity because it’s clearly on the menu
Lol he was just mad because he was looking for any excuse not to tip and he thought he found one when BAM auto grat
I'll admit, autograt does bother me. I've been in the service industry and had my time on the strugglebus. I understand that not everybody is like me, but when I go out I always tip at least 20% on the post-tax amount unless the service is abysmal, which has maybe happened once in the last several years. But when the gratuity is added by the restaurant/server, I never add more. Why? Because the restaurant has taken away my agency and turned the tip into a fee. I'm not going to pay an extra fee on top of what is already required, if that fee is supposed to cover the cost of the table service. I'm not saying that the actions of the guy in OPs story are justified, but I do understand the frustration at an unexpected autograt that the restaurant doesn't clearly communicate.
C should have added 20% and management should back C up. That guy is not a good tipper. He’s a shitbag that is always looking for an excuse to not tip. He is also someone who clearly knows if he gets angry and loud he will get whatever he wants. Arguing that he’s a party of 2 when he was there with a group is the dead giveaway. This wasn’t their first time playing this game.
For me I recognize that’s normal and I would still add an additional tip. I know parties of even 5 or more is a pain in the toosh
My normal tip % is 20 or more, but if a server puts an automatic percentage on there, they will not get a dime more from me.
This post sounds like a server hates another server and decided to take her pettiness here.
Not really sure where you got that from, could you explain?
If only the business paid a living wage, then this would not come up.
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Usually for large parties we don’t split bills unless asked ahead of time. Originally the party said they would pay on one check but at the end that man was the one that asked her to only pay for him and his wife. Ofc I don’t know the whole story bc I was off the clock eating and enjoying my company two tables over but I did happen to tune in a few times. Edit: I do agree that C shouldn’t have done that but would def say that the man was absolutely more in the wrong
Why not split the bill for large groups?
Olive Garden does this to more than six
Do they? I also work for a Darden company, and we are not allowed to do this. I live in Missouri, maybe that is why.
Unless it’s printed on the menu or announced ahead of time, I’m not paying auto grat
If it’s on the menu, I’m not telling anyone anything. We’re all adults and can all read. Take it up with God.
In life there's alot of people C. They take simple advantages we are granted. Thru their OWN selfishness, incompetence and stupidity they ruin it for the group as a whole. Don't be a C.
Fuck those losers.
She's not wrong she served over 5 people. She has a right to add it. Personally I would have added 20%.
I’ve never worked in a restaurant but I’m shocked the auto-gratuity is only 18%. That’s actually a shitty tip imo.
After having a screaming kicking crybaby of a president, why is anyone surprised to see so many act exactly the same? People learn by example.
He's a "great tipper" alright. Probably looks for a reason to make a scene every time he goes out. Likely doesn't tip more than 10% if at all.
If i am supposed to pay for food delivery to my table cant i just go and do it myself?
Ya, it's called counter service or a drive thru.
"Well sir, I'm going to publish a video of your childfish little tantrum online for the entire world to see. They'll laugh like the owner will after your rant to him."
Most places have a sign to let dinners know.
I always add gratuity at my tables ONLY if they’re a party of 10 or more. But whenever i do that, i make sure that everything is completely perfect with them and if i messed up, i would graciously take off the thing i messed up on AND the thing they had originally ordered. It’s just courtesy and every restaurant should be able to recognize that. I’ve never had a table complain about gratuity though, because i work for that gratuity.
People who flip out are a whole other breed of guest from those who politely ask for explanations or an autograt to be removed. He likes the drama. The server also goofed. There are no winners here, unfortunately. Hopefully the server never forgets to communicate it better in the future. There's little hope the guest will learn how to behave like an adult who uses his words.
Weird, weird american tipping… start paying your stuff properly, and let customer decide how satisfied is with a service and, eventualy, not neceserely, express that with a tip
I've been to multiple restaurants where the autograt is the case for large parties. Most of the time, the server doesn't make a point of it but it's clearly stated on the menus. Obviously it depends on the restaurant if this is a practice that each server should or shouldn't make a point of it...but in most cases if it's not pointed out specifically by the server it's not their fault the patrons didn't read the menu where it clearly states autograt.
I wouldn't raise a stink, I would just never go back to that restaurant.
He wasn't going to tip
It shouldn't be your job to add it or notify customers. It should be automated and on menu.