[RPMcMurphy]

Just had lunch at a place in New Brunswick, NJ. Took my girlfriend and her 2 co-workers out to lunch. Bill was 52$, digital check.....but on the top the waitress hand wrote "Recommended Gratuity 18% - $9.44"

Not a bad place, but that left a real bad taste...heck, I was planning on leaving 20-25%...

Sahara Restaurant - Mediterranean Cuisine in the Heart of New Brunswick, NJ

[Pete]

Personally, I would email, or write, the GM of the restaurant and let him know what a bad taste it left with you. I would also find something like that to be quite appauling. I probably would have said something before even leaving the restaurant.

[Free Rider]

I've seen the amounts calculated before, but with a choice. Listing the amts that are 10%, 15%, 20% of the check. I quite like that because most people can't do such a calculation.

[RPMcMurphy]

Originally Posted by Free Rider

I've seen the amounts calculated before, but with a choice. Listing the amts that are 10%, 15%, 20% of the check. I quite like that because most people can't do such a calculation.

yeah I've seen that, and somewhat ok with that, but this was separate, hand written and said "Recommended Gratuity 18% $9.44"

[cheflayne]

I would have left a handwritten note to the waitress explaining that when you figure out percentage gratuities that you should do so before tax is added because tax is not a service performed. Doing otherwise is misrepresentation and illegal.

When I owned my restaurant, I would have been greatly appreciative if a guest had informed if one of my employees had pulled a stunt like that. It is extremely difficult as an owner to be able to catch every faux pas that occurs, but I could hardly correct a mistake if it was not brought to my attention.

Do the owner a favor, be his extra eyes and ears. It is his hard earned bucks that are on the line here, not the waitresses. His response will tell you if you want to frequent the establishment in the future.

[Meralee]

I'd be tempted to write "I'd been planning on 25%, but since you only want $9.44, here you go."

[firerose0801]

Originally Posted by Meralee

I'd be tempted to write "I'd been planning on 25%, but since you only want $9.44, here you go."

You really should have! I can guarantee that that waitress would never pull something like that again after seeing that on the receipt.

[boar_d_laze]

Stewey (below) makes a strong point.

BDL

[Stewey]

[post deleted by writer]

on second thought, the tipping topic is too volatile to even mention among civilized peoples. I removed my comments, but will only add that what servers, patrons, and owners consider appropriate will ALWAYS be different.

[RPMcMurphy]

aw man I missed what you guys said.

[CookingContessa]

i don't know why the restaurant world assumes ppl are morons. it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the tip. to get 15% take 10% of the amount then take that amoutn and half it and add the two together, and so on. easy way to fig it out in your head! DUH.

As for what that girl did...I would have left her no tip and talked to the manager and let them know she ruined my dining experience. I also would have called corporate, to be compensated.

[Stewey]

Like on Godfather pt III--every time I try to get out they suck me back in [paraphrased of course].

Ok...I won't stir the pot much...BUT:

CookingContessa is correct that it doesn't take much to figure out 15% for tip. However, (rats...here comes my previously deleted post...watch for flying daggers from servers and front of housers) the lingering debate is on what part of the bill do you pay 15-20%?

What I learned years ago is that you tip based upon the subtotal minus alcoholic beverages. As I started visiting more expensive restaurants, some of their bills included a suggested tip rate at the bottom of the ticket--for 15%, 18%, and 20%. I was relieved to find that each time I came across the suggested tips from these restaurants that the restaurants CONFIRMED what I had been taught--their suggested tips were based on pre-tax and no-liquor totals.

That being said, servers and owners, and many others will disagree and probably be just as adamant about their differing opinion. I have heard everything from "diners should tip on the grand total regardless of tax and liquor" to "tips are MANDATORY and they START at 20%" to "If you cant afford a 20% tip on the grand total, then you shouldn't be eating out!" [these are all real quotes I have heard over the years.]

Why would you tip on the sales tax? Or, as here in Vegas, restaurants with live entertainment charge you an additional $10 tax mandatory. Why in the world would I tip on tax that has nothing to do with service? (and I won't even bring up the whole $400 bottle of wine debate--that's when things really get heated).

What the server was doing in RPM's original post was untimely pushing "her version" of what constitutes an appropriate tip. Personally, her "suggestion" would have caused me to sharply reduce what probably would have equated a 20% tip on the "grand total".

So although it is generally easy to figure 15%...it is the other variable that cause the contention--the "15% of what" variable.

But whatever...Like all the other debates (abortion, Iraq, homeschooling, religion, gun control, tastes great vs. less filling) I believe this one will continue indefinitely!

[Mapiva]

I just went to a restaurant and had this experience. I looked at the total and immediately started calculating the 20% top to leave. But when I looked closely I saw that the total included a 15% tip in the total. Not recommended, it was in the total! So I paid what was asked of me and left pretty angry. We were just a party of 2!

Last week we went to the Culinary institute of america at the American Bounty Restaurant and were surprised to be told that 15% has been added to our bill and that money will go towards uniforms and graduation costs for the students, and that if we choose to leave more that it will go towards service. We did leave more, but I felt like we were guilted into it.

[RPMcMurphy]

Originally Posted by Mapiva

Last week we went to the Culinary institute of america at the American Bounty Restaurant and were surprised to be told that 15% has been added to our bill and that money will go towards uniforms and graduation costs for the students, and that if we choose to leave more that it will go towards service. We did leave more, but I felt like we were guilted into it.

that's different to me...the students are learning and that ensures they aren't blowing the money on cheap girls and smooth booze......or is it the other way around?

[Brexs]

Oh jeez. Did she give you good service? Yes? Then pipe down, you had a good meal. Pay the tip. I don't get what it is about tipping on this forum. People make it seem like its the most important part of the meal. "The server forgot the straw that I never asked for so I only gave her 15%." Most servers work hard for their money. In rare instances you will find the irresponsible, slow, uncaring waiter that flew under the radar, but for the most part servers try to take care of their customers. Why? Because better service equal better tips. Keep in mind you are not the only table in the restaurant. Most places depend on their servers for heavy production as to decrease labor costs. And whats the limit to adding gratuity? We are ok with a party of 6 having gratuity added, but 5 people and darn it I'm calculating my own tip? The sad truth is most people don't know how to tip and servers are the most keen to this obeservation as it affects their wallets. Some customers are unaware that if you stiff your server you also stiff the bartender, the runner, the bussers, the host, and in some places, the kitchen. If something is bugging you, give your server an additional tip, let them know. I doubt they would be serving if they could read minds.