This Group Didn’t Want to Pay an Automatic Gratuity, Restaurant Responds by Locking Them Inside & Calling Police
- Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:25pm by
Becket Adams
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Have you ever gone to a restaurant with a group of friends (or a large family) and had an automatic gratuity (i.e. tip) added to your bill because of the size of your party?
We’re sure it has happened to most of you. Many restaurants do this.
So here’s a question: what happens if the server waiting on your table is lousy? Should you still have to pay the automatic gratuity?
While many people feel you shouldn’t be forced to pay a tip if the service is unacceptable, one group in Texas found out the hard way that some restaurants view the policy as non-negotiable.
Jasmine Marks went to La Fisherman in Houston, TX, with a group of friends and claims the service was not deserving of the automatic 17 percent gratuity the restaurant adds to parties of five or more.
Jasmine Marks (photo courtesy: Daily Mail)
Marks says the staff was rude, the drinks were not refilled, and mistakes were made on their orders, according to the Daily Mail.
“We asked her, could the gratuity be removed? Could we give our own tip? She said it was part of their policy and there was nothing she could do about,” Marks told Click2houston.com.
“If you’re not satisfied with the service, you shouldn’t have to pay gratuity,” she added.
However, it’s important to note that like all restaurants practicing “group gratuity,” the policy was clearly marked on La Fisherman’s menus.
When the unhappy diners challenged the restaurant’s 17 percent tip, Marks says the manager locked the doors and called the police.
“She was like, ‘You have an unsettled bill and ya’ll can’t leave until you pay it,’” Marks said. “We paid our bill for what we ate, we paid the bill.”
Photo courtesy: Daily Mail
Marks told the Click2houston.com news team that she tried to explain to the manager that paying for the food was not the problem — it was the automatic gratuity.
“She said, ‘That’s fine. If you don’t want to pay the gratuity we have HPD outside,’” Marks said.
“I asked the police officer twice, maybe three times, is it against the law if we don’t pay the gratuity and he never gave me a straight answer,” she added.
The on-duty manager at the restaurant told Houston’s local KPRC Local 2 that although they don’t “have a problem with customers not giving a tip,” they have called the police before.
Photo courtesy: Daily Mail
After the Marks episode gained media attention, Houston’s Better Business Bureau announced it would examine the complaint.
“Consumers need to understand the policy going in,” said Dan Parson, president of the BBB.
“I mean every sign walking in the door. What credit cards do you accept, not accept? What are your hours? Seventeen percent gratuity for the six of you? If you don’t like it, leave,” he added.
Marks’ group ended up paying the gratuity to avoid any further trouble.
Click here to watch the news brief.
This story has been updated.
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Comments (775)
MadNewYorker
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:02pmThe tip should be a reflexion of the service. If the service was bad you should not be forced to pay a tip. The customer is always right and if the waiter is good then I will over tip if it’s bad then I will leave what I feel they deserve. That decision should always be up to the customer not the restaurant.
Report Post »TomP215
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:18pmCome on it says it on the menu. She’s just a cheap ass. That’s way restaurants put automatic gratuity for large groups, they are hard work, you can’t make them all happy, and some people are just cheap. If you are too cheap to tip you can’t afford to eat out. Plus with large groups the server has to split the tips with the other servers that help wait the table.
Report Post »truth or consequences
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:26pmIf the restaurant says everybody must pay a 17% tip, pay it or don’t go there.
It was posted on the menu.
Free market will decide. Come on!
It is their business.
taxwarrior
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:26pmHey 13th you sound like a snotty racist.
be that as it may. Tipping is a disgusting policy. A throwback to medieval days with the Lord of the Manor throwing some crumbs to the serving wench.
End tipping. The restaurant needs to charge more and pay their staff a better wage.
Report Post »curtisedward
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:28pm13thimam is a dbag but included gratuity is a cost that would otherwise be included in the price of the food. It seems that many don’t realize that even a voluntary gratuity does not entirely go to the server. That server pays ‘tip-outs’ to bartenders, bussers and also is accountable for outrageous taxes. 3-6% of SALES (not tips) goes to what are essentially subcontractors. An included gratuity is a safety measure to cover these costs as an ass who does not tip on a large sale will cause the establishment to violate minumum wage law. Your tip IN ADDITION to auto-grat is entirely your choice. Yes if you don’t tip on top of auto-grat everyone hates you. If you refuse auto-grat no one will wait on you because they are basically paying the customers taxes.
Report Post »truth or consequences
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:39pm@ taxwarrior, Tipping may not be the best way, but what would happen to service quality without it.
Report Post »Boom- down and then people would still leave a tip for better service at their regular restaurant.
jcldwl
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:48pmwhy is the manager not being charged for unlawfully locking the people in and refusing to let them leave. Unlawful restraint.
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:49pmdo blacks hate to tip so much that they would rather go to jail then tip.
Report Post »And this lady is probably a huge Barrak Obama supporter screaming about everyone should pay their FAIR SHARE until it her turn to pay a FAIR SHARE
filiusdracul
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:53pmIt doesn’t matter if it was stated on the menu. If it is required, then by definition it’s not a tip.
Report Post »zorro
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:18pmI agree the policy sucks and more often than not, with a guaranteed “tip”, the only thing you’re guaranteed is lousy service. But as others keep pointing out, it’s the policy. Pay up…
Report Post »REETZBEE
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:36pmI’ve bartended and served food for years all over America…..Black people do not like to tip! They‘ll be damned if they’re going whitey any money.
Report Post »centenium
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:38pmI’m with truth or consequences.
Making restaurants pay larger wages and raise their food rates would mean that the incentive for better service is removed and thus service quality will drop. I routinely tip25-30% for good service and 0-5% for poor service. I look at waiting, bellhop, concierge, etc as commissioned sales jobs. The better you perform the better your salary. You as the employee are in charge of your own monetary benefits.
If flat increases are added to food prices then the new guy who brings me a burger instead of a salad makes just as much as the waiter who brought everything right and timely. Not fair at all to either party. One will be rewarded for ineptitude and the other penalized for performance.
Report Post »JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:43pmFirst off it is customary to tip a minimum of 10-15%, even if the service was horrible. Remember that these individuals make like $2.75 or less and hour due to the expectation of gratuity. Not to mention that if there is an error on the order should not count as this could be from the chef/cook and not the waiter/waitress. For example the waiter does not cook the steak and does not know (like you) that it is medium when it should have been rare.
They may not be at your beck and call, but the restaurant could be busy and short staffed which is beyond the waiter’s control (as it is their manager’s responsibility). Not to mention being treated rude does not mean that they did not service you, nor does it mean you were not rude prior to them being rude to you. Don’t treat your servers like underlings and snap your fingers and scream “YO!” If they haven’t stopped by and you need them, politely wave to them. Should they acknowledge (IE you catch their attention) you will be serviced ASAP, which doesn’t mean immediately. You and 30 others have top priority and you have to be patient and wait your turn.
The waiter is not going to be ready to jump to fill your glass when you chugged it down, and usually will provide you a pitcher of soda/water should you need more than the glass provides. BE the bigger person and notify them of your special needs to make it easier on both of you.
Report Post »pavnvet
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:44pmAssuming she can read since she ordered something from the menu and the notice of the gratuity was clearly posted there, I understand the position of the restaurant. If she was unhappy with the service, at some point she should have asked to speak to the manager and explain in a calm manner why the service didn’t meet their expectations. Most of the times it is not the servers fault and the manager will do something to make amends.
Upon ordering the food she entered into a contract. Their was an offer and acceptance. When she was presented the bill and didn’t pay for the gratuity it became a theft of services since the cost was established.
This kind of policy is a dual edged sword. It should make a server on their toes and try to up sell to the max, on the other hand there are those servers may think there is $50 and I will do as little as possible. Also, it is up to management to be checking on the diners.
Report Post »JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:46pmLastly, should they be in the wrong and you get 100% bad service, pay the minimum and notify management of the issues. They will handle the server. All you are doing by not tipping is ensuring that the next people will be faced with a flustered server.
In fact, I tend to tip high (40-50%) even if the service is bad. Next time I visit, you bet that server DOES go out of their way to accommodate me and the service is 100% different than the poor service previously received.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:53pmThey were Entitled….and how did I guess they were Canadians ………it’s simple, pay what you owe, and don’t go back, or stay home and cook……
Report Post »Sammils427
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:03pmYou people are unbelievable!!! And not to mention so uneducated when it comes to knowing what servers deal with! If a restauant doesn’t add gratuity I refuse to work there, cause I work my ass off for a big party and then get screwed when they stiff me! Despite the face that gratuity is added I still always give all of my tables good service. I am not racist at all but it doesn’t surprise me that this lady is black. Everyone knows black people do not like to tip. Everyone should have to work in a restaurant once on their lives to see what we have to put up with, then you’ll feel differently!
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:04pmWhen I go I figure that into the expected cost and if the service is lousy I never return.
Report Post »taxwarrior
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:08pmTipping does not guarantee better service. Look at all the services you receive without tipping.
If we abolished tipping and restaurants charged more for services and paid the wait staff a decent wage what would guarantee good service? The fact that I would tell the manager if service was bad. And if enough people complained about a server – well out he goes. Do you think a manager will keep a lousy server on – someone who is basically chasing away customers.
Do you tip at McDonalds. Do you tip the nice the nice people at Goldline who patiently walk you through a sale. Do you send a tip to Glenn for providing you a service in your home. Do you tip the police officer who pulls you over for the service he’s providing in making the roads safer?
There are thousands of service people out there. We don’t tip them and service still happens.
Report Post »klammey
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:14pmI agree. I am a good tipper but, if the service is not good, I don’t tip at all. That’s what tips are all about….the service.
Report Post »I support God's Israel!
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:22pmWay to go. We ask before we sit at a table if there is an automatic gratuity (Red Lobter has this and we NEVER eat there) and if it does, we thank them and leave. If MORE people would do this, they would remove this asinine requirement. ASK BEFORE YOU ARE SEATED!!!!
I hope they sue in small claims court.
Report Post »I support God's Israel!
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:25pmTomP215:
Report Post »Oh, so you are in favor of RESTOCKING FEES ALSO??????? Are you dumb or what?
NO business tells me that they can add money to my bill for anything except a legal tax.
I do NOT do business with any of those types, including businesses who force a restocking fee for a return product that I do not want because it is damaged or doesn’t work as claimed.
You must be a liberal because liberals FORCE people to do things they don’t want to do.
muhamed
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:25pmI’ll say it….REAL big shock that they’re black. I worked as a server for a few years in college….my experience is that blacks are very demanding, more demanding than any other race, creed, or color I ever experienced, and they tip horrible. Even a black woman I worked with said the same thing….about her own race! She didn’t like waiting on them because even when they like you and you do a good job, they still tip bad.
Report Post »Silversmith
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:30pmI have had a problem with the “tipping as part of wages” business model in this country for a long time. A server should be paid a living wage; and tipping should be discretionary, as it is in most other countries. If a server isn’t good at their job, they lose it. If they are, they see tips, but their salary is already enough to live on without it. It only promotes stress, entitlement and anxiety on both sides, when your clientele is expected to subsidize your waitstaff.
Silversmith
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:30pmDon’t forget this is Cynthia Lees backyard – crooked wig and all. If this is like Oklahoma wait staff you only make $2.60 an hour + tips. One of my sons waited on 2 women one time and on a $35.00 tab they came up with $1.50 in quarters and my son told them to keep it, it looked like they needed it worse than him. Another time a car dealer had a $100.00 + bill and tipped my son $50.00. Bottom line it said it on the menu. I’v seen these idiots before in restraunts – 1 hour for lunch and they expect to be moved to top of the list so they won’t be late for work.
Report Post »QuranIsCorruptAndMuhammadPossessedBySatan
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:35pmThey CLAIM they got bad service. They could be lying and just didn’t want to give a tip or were cheap. My friend who works as a food server says that many times some black people will not give a tip or will complain they got bad service, but they got good service, just so they don’t have to pay for a tip.
So they could be just lying so they don’t have to tip.
Report Post »ITGuy
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:48pmI find the whole idea of paying servers their wages on top of buying the food absolutely asinine. A tip is a GIFT that we choose to give as a thank you for a job well done. If it‘s forced upon you it’s not a tip, it’s a cover charge. And a forced tip for groups of 5!!? Really? If you can’t handle 5 people at your table you need a new job, cause you suck rocks. If I were that woman I would go back in the next day and order just a soda and sit there for 8 hours and drink like 30 of them. I wouldn’t be apposed to writing out my own ticket and giving it to the cook and picking up the food myself from the counter and filling my own drink. It would save me ALOT of money over my lifetime and end this nonsense once and for all.
Report Post »Servant Of YHVH
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:29pmActually she was right at the beginning and refusing to pay any gratuity. I ALWAYS tip very big when I eat out but if the service was that bad then I don’t care if it is on the bill or not. The bill reflects the items you purchase and if there is a bill for gratuity, then you are paying for good service. If they did not get good service then they do not have to pay for something that they did not get. That is called fraud and/or theft. I would have refused to pay regardless and if they wanted to try to take me to jail that would have been fine. I would have sued the police department for false imprisonment and I would have sued the restaurant for illegal imprisonment and kidnapping because by locking the doors and not letting them leave, they in effect kidnapped that entire group!
Report Post »GQQSER
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:43pmWhat really gets me is if you look at that gratuity they add the 17% after taxes, that means your paying the gratuity on the sales tax of the meal as well. When I see that, I go off.
Report Post »JMorcan
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:50pmRefusing to pay for food is a criminal offense. Refusing to pay the gratuity is civil. It would have been their legal right to smash the door and leave, rather than being unlawfully restrained.
Report Post »Dinkiecb
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:51pmCrappy service = crappy tip as far as I’m concerned…wanna call the police I‘d say fine because if you lock me in your holding me against my will and I’d press charges!
Report Post »Oldmantex
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:55pmA few points should be made. First 6 people is NOT a large group, I know many families that are at that now with kids. Second, people keep saying that because they are black they were being cheap. Did you read the article? They paid when the mess started. So clearly they were not the type of people that will argue no matter what to get their way. Seems like they were honest decent people being that they paid once the manager lost his freaking mind.
If you do not have security and lock my family and myself in the restaurant you better believe there will be a law suit and a few windows broken as well. Now I will never eat at this place and I live in Houston. Ill make sure all my friends and family also never eat at this place.
This manager escalated a situation with an incredibly stupid move over what? 50 bucks at most. How many other customers where locked inside? Any manager with half a brain would have let them pay the bill and leave. Once outside, inform them they are no longer allowed to eat at his / her facility.
Report Post »LetUsReason
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:58pmIt looks like we need to inject some reason into this debate. The surface issue is “Should this company be required to pay a gratuity for service that was less than acceptable?” The correct answer is yes. The reason is because the gratuity is mandatory and is stated as such. Customers are generally aware of this. Additional gratuity can be offered if the service is superior, but a minimum is clearly required. If you order a meal, and you find it not up to your standards, it is still expected that you pay for it in full (assuming the meal was cooked correctly). Whether you get a discount due to a lack of expectation, is purely at the discretion of the restaurant.
The more important issue, though, is “Should there be a mandatory gratuity at all?” The correct answer to this is no. Gratuity should be at the sole discretion of the guests based on the service and the experience. Some might complain that servers don’t get paid enough, and the mandatory gratuity is necessary. This should not be compensated through gratuity, but rather through wages. Personally, I feel that gratuity should not be a cultural obligation like it currently is. The problem is that too many people are not naturally generous (unfortunately); therefore, companies charge a mandatory gratuity as a marketing strategy to keep food prices lower. If wages are better, workers will feel more inclined to serve well, and that in turn will create a happier atmosphere and desire in patrons to tip and show genero
Report Post »JackE
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:58pmMadNewYorker good stay in NY. The rest of the country don’t think like you. Well, except for California.
Report Post »IMAWAKENOW
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:08pmI want to tell you, The customer ISN’T always right. Take it from someone who deals with the public every day. You can’t make everyone happy.
Report Post »Susanna
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:10pmWhen I was 19, I was a server in a San Antonio restaurant. Their policy was to never auto add a tip. One night I was seated 26 Mexicans. They took up my whole section. I went to my Mgr. and told him if I couldn’t add the tip I was leaving, but I would not wait on them otherwise. He told me to ask them if it was ok and then I could. I did ask and one guy said, “Yes! Definitely add it”. I think he knew I wouldn’t get tipped any other way. After they got the check I heard them complaining and asking, “What is gratuity?”.
Report Post »term limits for congress
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:17pmWhere-in-the-heck do (most of you) posters live?
It is difficult to keep a server if the tips are bad. That’s the bottom line. When the demographics start to change, the auto-tips start appearing. Owners have the right to run their business. Patrons have the right to stay away.
Other signs: certain menu items start disappearing (baby-back ribs), start charging for water, start charging for extra lemons, no frozen drinks from the bar, alcohol servered in shot glasses so the exact measurements can be seen, country music on the muzak, next meal is free instead of comping current meal, tip cards included with the check, suggested tip printed on the check,…
Lisa Lamponelli: Paint your canoe black – it’ll never tip.
Old folks and women, y’all need to step it up, too!
Report Post »ghostsouls
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:23pm@ Madnewyorker
“The tip should be a reflexion of the service.” – Ordinarily yes, but in this case it is clearly marked on the menu and in other places within the restaraunt, no attempt was made to hide this business practice. (reflection*)
“If the service was bad you should not be forced to pay a tip.” – Again not in this instance, it did not read, taht it would only be charged for your preceived excelent service. Becasue people will say they got bad service to avoid the gratuity.
“The customer is always right” – Again no they are not. If the customer eats all their food, then says, you know after I ate all this food and drank all teh drinks, it really wasn’t as good as I thought it should be, I am not gonna pay, so they can get up and walk out without paying? I thik now.
“If the waiter is good then I will over tip if it’s bad then I will leave what I feel they deserve” – Then you need to go to a restarant where the gratuity is not automatic, don’t read the rules then try to find a way to get out of it.
“That decision should always be up to the customer not the restaurant” – Wrong again, this is America, not Russia, business owners are to decide what they will and won’t do, it is their buisness, their capital, their decision, if you don’t like it, there are plenty more restaurants, no one is forcing you to eat there. Just like restaurants that say no children, it‘s legal and at the owner’s discretion.
Report Post »JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:33pmTo those who say their wages should be increased in order to compensate for the tips and it is not your fault that minimum wage allows the servers to be paid $2.75 or less, shame on you. You have no valid argument for being a horrible tipper because the establishment is not paying them enough to sustain a living. What is good service, ask yourself this? Did they acknowledge you when you came in? Did they take your order and came with your drinks? How busy was the establishment? When an issue arouse, were YOU polite to them in explaining the issue? Did they fix the issue regardless of YOUR claim? Was it an issue that the waiter could control? Was it an error on the cook’s behalf? You need to weigh all the facts you CAN LEGITIMATELY validate. How do you know the order was input wrong? The Cooks get paid flat wages, not the servers. Don’t make them pay for for what could be another persons error. Don’t pop an attitude at the server either. I know many servers who get blamed for things that are out of their control.
It is customary… A CUSTOM of AMERICA to TIP! You can claim culture all you want, but here in America, it is a horrible job that services an ungrateful public, and that is YOU WHO CLAIM THEY SHOULD FIND ANOTHER JOB OR GET BETTER WAGES. It is not the way things are set up… You are trying to excuse the fact you are a cheap MoFo who wouldn’t eat there if the price included a decent wage.
Report Post »hallkbrdz
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:43pmOne word – CASH. Pay for the food plus what you think is fair and leave. If they don’t like it – tough, you owe them nothing more than the food and tax. Beyond that is based on performance.
Report Post »Todd P
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:51pmI agree with TAXWARRIOR on this one. I’ve never understood why we tip some people but not others, and the expectation of a tip frankly makes me uncomfortable as a customer. I would rather the restaraunt pay their staff a living wage – upscale ones would pay more than fast food joints – then I know when I walk in exactly how much it‘s going to cost me and I don’t have to do the math when paying the bill. In some countries, they don’t even know what a tip is! Reading the fine print at the bottom of the menu is kinda sleezy, IMHO. Just raise the price of your meals to reflect what you want customers to pay, and be done with it! It’s more honest that way, and would eliminate these kinds of problems.
Report Post »FFTyranny
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:54pmOkay, I’m going to say it here.
I waited tables for 15 years and the worst customers I ever had, the worst tippers I ever had, the most dishonest customer I even had, saying I didn’t refill drink, I didn’t like them, I was rude. I can go on and on. After a few years I hated waiting on these people. Blacks, that‘s right I’m saying here. They are the worst, they lie just to get out of paying a tip. They come in and look at you like your going to slave over them because your had use slave over you. I’ve seen them act very nice to other black waiters/tresses. Tip them, write over and beyond good comments and just treat, stiff and act like they’ve never been out to eat before.
I am not saying all blacks, but it was MOST of them.
These people got what they deserved I’m sure. If we could talk to the server. I’ll bet behind close doors they would say the same thing as I am.
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:59pmAs I was once in their shoes as a young one and they are young looking and possibly a single mother I tip well cause the Government ain‘t gettin it and I ain’t takin it with me. Only exception is those freaks with hardware stuck in their faces and the tat freaks.
Report Post »cherigc
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:03pmI went for my birthday dinner at Ruth Chris. There was a table of 20 African Americans. Next to us running the waiters and waitrresses They left a THREE Dollar tip. the bill must have been a thousand dollars b ecause they were also drinking. A water forgot to add something g on the bill and put the money down with the bill and one of the patrons TOok the money. these hard working people spent thei r Saturday night working their butts off for nothing!!!,! Those people should be arrested
Report Post »Buck Shane
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:10pmSo, demand individual checks – no more party of five.
Report Post »JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:28pmAnd to those who compare working a McDonald’s to working as a waiter… you need to get a clue. It is not even a good analogy. McDonald’s Workers get $8-9 an hour and do not have to busy tables, fill your drinks, and deal with your attitude after you have left the counter. There is a big difference between working fast food and working as a server in a restaurant. A HUGE DIFFERENCE. Not to mention they are your server, not your slave. Treat them with respect and compassion for the countless others that treat them horrible as well. If you can’t see that, you are a poor excuse for a human being. I would pay to have you forced to due their job for 2-3 months at your current living expectations and see what they go through. Until you do that, please refrain from using stupid analogies that make you look out of touch and ill-informed.
Report Post »liberalisrunamuckus
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:56pmif you don’t like the policy you can go somewhere else ,its not that complicated.
Report Post »liberalisrunamuckus
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:59pmand the reason a lot of restaurants do it in the first place is that blacks are notorious for not tipping. not racist ,just fact
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:01pmJust had a similar experience in Utah. Went to the Olive Garden and had crappy food and bad service.
Report Post »We were in a group so the tip was huge. We paid it. I hope they can live on that big tip because we will never go back.
Joe_2112
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:09pmDon’t be ridiculous. Under your scenario, anybody can say the service was bad to avoid the tip. Bottom line, it’s in writing. PERIOD. These freeloaders are probably supported by the taxpayer anyway.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:12pmI see the problem here. The restaurant’s name is “La Fisherman”. In Spanish, “La” is feminine and the correct translation is “El” for FisherMAN”. El Fisherman, not La Fisherman. Now, La Fisherwoman would be correct. So the motto is…. never go to a “La” restaurant selling fish that asks you to pay a MANdatory gratuity when ‘El” is not recognized. Sounds like something that would happen in Gay Old San Francisco. Or rather La Francisco.
Report Post »B_rad
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:28pmI despise bad tippers. I really do. It amazes me how many people think they can run a server around and then not pay them the expected amount for their service. I routinely tip 20% for decent service, and if it’s really great, it goes up. All that said, if someone gets really bad service they absolutely should not be forced to tip. HOWEVER, waiting until the end of the meal to do something about it (conveniently after seeing the automatic grat) is totally wrong. If these people weren’t happy with their food and/or their service, they should have taken it up with the manager right away. If their complaints about the food were valid, the manager should have comped one or more meals and let the tip stand. If the complaint about the service was valid, the manager should have comped one or more meals and taught the server a lessen in how they get paid. Handled wrong all the way around.
Report Post »B_rad
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:32pmOne more thing: If you have a problem with tipping, DON’T go to a restaurant to be served. That is part of the deal. Don’t like it? Stay home and cook your own damn food.
Report Post »Ari Ben TZion
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:38pmGratuity: Something given without claim or obligation. (Webster)
If it’s mandatory, it’s no longer gratuity.
Report Post »Tony
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:44pmA smart owner/manager would have inquired why the patrons thought the service was undeserving of a gratuity. Unless the patrons were complete jerks, the wise thing would have been to exclude the group tip.
As it is, I live in the Houston area and will not go to this restaurant because it seemed according to reports, the manager wasn’t interested in improving his/her service.
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:54pmREETZBEE
I agree 500% I worked in the restaurant business for many years and blacks have bad tipping down to a science they complain a few time just to get out of tipping even if the service was the best they ever had. They get a bad rap because that’s exactly what they do complain to weasel out of tipping. I tossed a whole group out the door one time it was so obvious what they were doing they got all indignant and said I was supposed to kiss there azz.
As a manager I will not put up with d-bags stealing tips form my hard working employees by lying about bad food or service.
Report Post »mcmeador
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:50pmTomP215, I agree that the restaurant did what it was supposed to do by putting the information in the menu, but the idea of an automatic gratuity is ridiculous. Big parties are hard work? Cry me a river. Do I get paid extra when I have a hard day at work? No. I just do my damn job and make the same as any other day. Do I think I should be paid extra for having a hard day? Uh…no. Having a hard day is just part of life. Sorry to say, servers with your attitude just need to suck it up.
Report Post »decendentof56
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:57pm@ Taxwarrior….
Hey 13th you sound like a snotty racist.
be that as it may. Tipping is a disgusting policy. A throwback to medieval days with the Lord of the Manor throwing some crumbs to the serving wench.
End tipping. The restaurant needs to charge more and pay their staff a better wage.
Had to throw the “racist” bone in there, didn’t you? Can‘t help it when you don’t have anything intelligent to say, can you, Commie?
So….let me get this straight. You don’t want to tip, but you will accept higher food prices so the waiters will all make the same, higher wage…..is that right?
Is that why you wear that stupid mask? I’d wear one, too, if I were that dumb.
You think that somehow, if everyone makes the same wage that all will have the same. I’d assume that is where you are headed. The problem with that thinking (or, non-thinking) is that some will squander those wages and there will still be a discrepancy in living standards, or who has and who has-not. Now…. of course, some will need gov. assistance to bring them up to the same living standards as the worker who saved his/her money.
There will never be equality, you dumb-ass. If you have a Communist style gov, then there would be the same problem you claim we have now. That would be the rulers with everything, and the peasants with nothing. You would have to start protesting all over again for equality, wouldn’t you?
The problem is that your Communist rulers will not allow protests. Now what,E
Report Post »joe conservative
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:10pmBut if you don’t like the policy you should exercise your freedom and eat somewhere else. I don’t like the automatic tip rule because I believe the tip should be in line with the service. These people were not forced to eat at this restaraunt….period. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVXFGTUNDjE
Report Post »jimtrees
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:11pmif you buy a boat, paint it black. that way it won’t tip.
Report Post »decendentof56
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:13pm@Taxwarrior….”Tipping does not guarantee better service. Look at all the services you receive without tipping.”
And guess what, bad service doesn’t get a good tip. Personal initiative and good service gets servers good tips. But, hey, why would you want people to be exceptional when they can do a crappy job and all get the same wage, right? That is how your beloved Communist system works.
The communes of the 60′s/70′s fell apart because all shared the same, whether or not all produced. I saw this in my 39 years with Ma-Bell. The union protected lazy workers who cared not for customer service, while their co-workers who were concerned with cust-service carried the load. Those lazy-arse workers made the same wage, got the same vacation days, and received the same pension as the good union employees. Do you think that is “fair.“ You want things to be ”fair”, don’t you?
Report Post »ICRedifURBlue
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:07pmAt the start of service put a stack of bills on the table and inform the staff this is their tip….as mistakes are made remove bills in their presence …….if they screw up enough the stack goes away. Amazing how attentive, polite, and efficient they can become as the stack starts to shrink……..
Report Post »LV2SURF
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:26pmThey should call it an “in-house service tax.“ Then the rampant stupid Americans will just say ”oh, yeah, I”m fine with that.” I mean how rude can some people be, coming to a restaurant and brining with them more customers. It’s such an inconvenience for the restaurant to have more work, and sell more food and drink.” The government really needs to step in and set some regulations in place. A mandatory tip for a group of five? LOL. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
Report Post »jaylew
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 1:08amThe correct spelling of the word is reflection. If you are going to preach to all of us what is contrary and opposite of what the menu clearly states in terms of the gratuity owed based on party size……then please spell correctly, It’s not hard…and most modern computer operating systems have one sort of spell check feature or another…..and let me proffer up the following antagonistic theorem……..anyone want to take bets on the notion that more than half of the alleged aggrieved parties in this entire brouhaha are regular food stamp recipients? ….anyone? Bueller? anyone?
Report Post »ViewPointtt
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 1:59amIt is important to recognize that the government has taken the position that the vast majority of diners are happy to tip and that even the cheapest-of-the-cheap will tip at least 8%. Subsequently, servers are automatically taxed on 8% whether the tip is given or not. Consequently, on every occasion that a server is not tipped, it is not a simple matter of forfeiting the gratuity/commission for services rendered and simply break-even… instead, the server is literally paying for the “pleasure” of serving all non-tipping guests. Incidentally, the cheapest-of-the-cheap guests are typically the most demanding and unreasonable.
Report Post »daxbrady
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 2:53amyou have option to leave and not order… when that is posted on the menu, its not negotiable after service is rendered.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 3:17amDETROIT PAPERBOY
Report Post »(They were Entitled….and how did I guess they were Canadians) You got that right… Canadians come in as a group. Demand over the top service. Walk out without paying a tip and that is why there is a policy of 17% for groups. Canadians pull this crap all the time and they think it’s funny.
The Constitution
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:39amIt doesn’t do much good to know about the 17% auto-gratuity up front because you only have an issue with it AFTER receiving lousy service.
Report Post »DonLukas
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:41amIF YOU WANT TO JOIN SOCIETY AND EAT WITH THE PUBLIC THEN YOU HAVE TO TIP.
IF YOUR sub-CULTURE DOESN’T TIP YOU all ARE GONNA REMAIN ON THE FRINGES OF THE WELFARE LINE
IF YOU DON‘T UNDERSTAND THE PRINCIPAL OF GRATUITY IT’S BECAUSE YOUR FOLKS DIDN’T PASS ON ANY CLASS
iF YOU HAVE EVER DEPENDED ON TIPS YOU KNOW WHAT RACES OF MAN HAVE A MENTALITY OF “LETS GIVE THE SERVER HELL SO WE CAN GET MO FREE $H!T BY COMPLAINING TO THE mANAGER.
THAT MIGHT WORK AT THE RED-LOBSTER BUT NOT AT AN INDEPENDENT ESTABLISHMENT
OH YA
THIS IS HOUSTON TX ,,, AND I‘M SURE THIS WASN’T THE FIRST GROUP OF WHITE TRASH BLACK PEOPLE TO TRY AND PULL A FAST ONE AT THIS PLACE
THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN THERE FIRST RODEO BUT I GUARNTEE
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.
.
.
.
.
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.EVERY WAITER IN THAT RESTAURANT SAW THEM GETTING OFF THE BUS AND HEADING ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AND SAID, HERE WE GO AGAIN.
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IT IS , AND IT ISN’T JUST A RACE THING EITHER,
GHETTO PEOPLE OF ANY COLOR DON’T EVER WANA TIP
WHY DO SOME RACES COME TO AMERICA AND PROSPER IN ONE OR TWO GENERATIONS PASSING UP THE RACES THAT WERE HERE 200 + YEARS (LIKE ASIANS , INDIANS, ARAPS PERSIANS)
WHY
BECAUSE THEY HAVE CLASS
YOU DON’T TIP AT POPEYES
Report Post »YOU DON’T TIP AT MC. DONALDOS
YOU DON;T TIP THE LIQUOR STORE GUY
YOU DON’T TIP THE MAN
YOU DON’T TIP THE GUY CRACK GUY
YOU DON’T TIP THE WEED GUY
YOU DON’T TIP BABY-DADY
YOU DON’T TIP THE BUS DRIVER
YOU DON’T TIP THE NOSY A$$ SOCIAL WORKER
YOU DON’T TIP YO
Skytrash
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:11amSo paying people less because of poor service, and paying people more because of excellent service is a good idea? Who’d think that way! It should be equal pay for equal service in the eyes of the server!! Sounds like a teachable moment to me but some people will never get it. If they’re just being tight a-ss‘s that’s another issue altogether. I start out at 20% and it’s typically a sliding scale dependent on the service.
Report Post »wdittgasn
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:13amThe only money that a server makes is what you leave on the table…..They make $2.13 per hour, then they are forced to give it all back to the restaurant in what they call tip share, which is just the restaurant using there tips to pay the rest of their staff who make $2.13. and in some restaurants the servers actually pay the place to work there…….Do the math, they work 8 hours 2.13 x8= $17.04…..They tip out 3% of sales $1200.00 = $36.00 tip out payed to resaurant…..36-17=19. That server had to pay $19.00 to WORK THEIR A$$ OFF FOR A BUNCH OF RUDE CHEAP people that deserve a slap in the face instead of good service…… Now I will say this, THANK you to all of the generous tippers out there, you are the only reason that people do this kind of work!!!… Paying $2.13 is theft to begin with, But to take it back is double theft, and to take it back to the point of making them pay to work there is Triple THEFT…..So TIP YOUR SERVER OR STAY HOME, or change the laws so that they can’t steal anymore…….By the way They should pay the tip because I am sure they were a misery to wait on, I mean just look at all the trouble they caused, and for WHAT, a few dollars…..I’ll Stop now.
Report Post »Tricornes
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:29am@taxwarrior “Do you tip at McDonald’s?” – You just made the case for the practice of tipping.
Report Post »Bum thrower
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:44amShe‘s probably an ’occupy’ sympathizer……..looking for something for nothing………“typical”…
Report Post »Marci
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:33amWhile I agree with you on overtipping for good, lower for bad—-I have to say I also agree with the assertion that if you are aware of the tipping policy, you have a choice. That choice is to eat elsewhere. If you choose not to dine somewhere because of the policy, the restaurant should be made aware of it. That’s what changes the policy, voting with your wallet.
Report Post »JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:45amNot to mention that groups of five or more require much more maintenance than a two top. You don’t run out of water at the same time… You ordered meals and some may have a longer prep time than others and it holds the whole order. Not to mention that the two-three cooks are preparing in sequence and using hot trays to keep the food warm so the meals can be served at the same time, which is why the server asks if you if want the appetizers first (to give you something to eat while you wait. Not to mention that they have other tables as well.
The problem with groups is that unless it is a family, groups tend to have separate bills yet the server has to manage all the orders and then items get placed on the wrong tab. Groups are more demanding, especially when one person says, “I’ll buy this round of drinks.” (IE when alcohol is involved.) Most servers will accommodate for separate bills. However, when the group decides one bill (because they didn’t ask for separate ones) they group has to divvy up the tab. Some people pay cash and others credit. The cluster f#$% is mind boggling, and someone ends up not paying what they ordered and/or refuses to tip thinking the others will cover it. This short changes the server, so restaurants charge a minimum gratuity to protect the server and forces one tab. This makes it the groups responsibility to POLICE themselves with their orders and who should pay what and solves the issue of the tip management.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:57amI don’t care what it says on the menu about it being added. If there’s not way to get out of it for rude service, do you really think the service will be good? Everyone is accountable. it‘s like the DMV doesn’t have to be nice to you because you have to go there. I’d come in seperately and ask to be seated close together and not call yourself a part of 6, if nothing else. If they know that if the service sucks, they won’t get a tip, maybe they’ll be more attentive and less rude.
Report Post »CptStubbing
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 10:04amYou guys are hilarious. All of you people who keep saying they only make $2.13 an hour are either really ignorant or are deliberately lying. The FLSA doesn’t allow for any employer in the United States to pay less than minimum wage. If a server goes to work and doesn’t have any customers all night, they still are entitled to minimum wage. So if you have problem with someone not having a living wage it’s because Minimum wage is too low, which it isn’t.
If you were a server and you weren’t paid minimum wage when you were supposed to be, you should bring a complaint
Now, let’s go so far as to look at the Federal Statute. 29 CFR 531.55
“A compulsory charge for service, such as 15 percent of the amount of the bill, imposed on a customer by an employer’s establishment, is not a tip and, even if distributed by the employer to its employees, cannot be counted as a tip received in applying the provisions of section 3(m) and 3(t).” [3(m) distinguishes “wages” received by providing lodging or room and board, and 3(t) defines a “Tipped Employee”]
So, when you guys actually pay the “gratuity,” you aren’t paying it to the employee who waited on you, you are paying it to the establishment who “even if” they want to distribute the gratuity they can, but are not obligated. You are all fools.
The restaurant has to pay minimum wage and they and they are charging you more on the chance they don’t meet their minimum wage requirements.
Report Post »mils
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 10:16amterrible advertising…but the restaurant doesn’t appear to care what anyone thinks..so don’t go there !
Report Post »AdmiralQ
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 10:20amTom Truth. IT SHOULDN‘T be on the Menu in the first place it’s a tip and up to the customer to decide if they get it or not. and 5 isn’t a group 8 and above is and then should be called large group cost
Report Post »DSN397
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 10:44amMADNEWYORKER In this incident the cop didn’t know his A## from a hole in the ground. I’m a 30 police retiree, white, and I don’t blame Marks a bit, nor does her race enter into the matter at all. The 17% tip is as stated restaurant police, not Houston city Ordinance, and therefore a civil matter and outside the limits of the police officers authority.
Report Post »What If the restaurant decided to put a stop sign up half way down the length of their driveway, would you expect the police to set up in a parking spot and write tickets for rolling stops, then I guess the fines would also go to the restaurant.
The police should have told them both it’s a civil matter, but if an offense covered under law resulted as a result of this problem, they would return and enforce an enforceable violation, i.e. disturbance, assault, etc.
Ruler4You
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 11:19amjust stop going out. Learn to cook.
Report Post »LookTowardsTheLight
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 11:34am@DonLukas
Hands down, yours was THE MOST obnoxious posted comment every to be displayed on The Blaze
Report Post »LookTowardsTheLight
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 11:36amFine, if you are going to make me tip for bad service I should have the right to punch the waiter or manager for my compensation.
Report Post »JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 12:17pm@ CptStubbing
You are the one you doesn’t know how it works… The minimum wage is credited in MANY states for tipped allowed employees.
http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/tipped.htm#foot1
The establishment has to pay minimum wage? Yes, but the tips are counted towards that amount in the form of a credit. The establishment is charging you for the added issues of a group, which adds significantly to the issues with waiting the table. The funds do go to the employee as part of the “minimum wage” to insure the their wage is calculated and adjusted accordingly. and to make sure the waiter is clearer recording the amount. What if a table walks out? Is that taken from the Waiter’s pocket? Yes… Do they tip out the bartender and staff? Yes… Do they deal with more than a fast food worker? Yes… Do they deserve more than minimum wage? Yes…
You can hide behind the “legal” definition for justifying you are a cheapskate, but you are justifying your lack of regards of the TRUE service industry in general. The fact remains that people often holder the server accountable for things outside of their control.
So, Mr. Pink (Reservoir Dogs reference), As Mr. White said:
Report Post »Waitressing is the number one occupation for female non-college graduates in this country. It’s the one job basically any woman can get, and make a living on. The reason is because of tips.
Anonymouse.
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 12:33pmThe old tip system should be eliminated anyway. Guess who spits and worse in your restaurant food anyway? If the public really knew how disgusting most restaurant kitchens were, no one would waste their time going out to eat. And here’s another tip for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C_bu2ykjO4
Report Post »JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 12:34pm@ CptStubbing
Your next quip will be for them to get another job… I have one for you…. Why don’t you get a clue first, then we can talk about them getting another job. You are justifying paying them minimum wage while demanding more work than other minimum wage jobs. The Credit is a write off to the establishment, not bonus to the employee. It was to acknowledge that restaurants have a tip based setup and to not penalize the employer for labor increases. Besides, it is CUSTOMARY to tip 10% regardless of the “quality of the service”, which is extremely subjective and not objective.
Hence the Mr. Pink quote:
Mr. Pink: Look, I ordered coffee, alright? And we been here a long ******* time and she’s only filled my cup three times. When I order coffee I want it filled six times.
Mr. Blonde: Six times? Well, what if she’s too ******* busy?
Mr. Pink: The words “too ******* busy” shouldn‘t be in a waitress’s vocabulary.
It is not like McDonald’s which has the machine out from behind the counter to make you get of your behind and get it yourself. Which is why they are paid minimum wage and don’t get tips. Compare and apple to an apple, not an orange. Once you get your analogies down, we will discuss you integrity as a person.
Report Post »JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 12:41pm@ CptStubbing
Your next quip will be for them to get another job… I have one for you…. Why don’t you get a clue first, then we can talk about them getting another job. You are justifying paying them minimum wage while demanding more work than other minimum wage jobs. The Credit is a write off to the establishment, not a bonus to the employee. It was to acknowledge that restaurants have a tip based setup and to not penalize the employer for cost of labor increases. Besides, it is CUSTOMARY to tip 10% regardless of the “quality of the service”, which is extremely subjective and not objective.
Hence the Mr. Pink quote:
Mr. Pink: Look, I ordered coffee, alright? And we been here a long ******* time and she’s only filled my cup three times. When I order coffee I want it filled six times.
Mr. Blonde: Six times? Well, what if she’s too ******* busy?
Mr. Pink: The words “too ******* busy” shouldn‘t be in a waitress’s vocabulary.
It is not like McDonald’s which has the machine out from behind the counter to make you get of your behind and get it yourself. Which is why they are paid minimum wage and don’t get tips. Compare and apple to an apple, not an orange. Once you get your analogies down, we will discuss you integrity as a person.
Report Post »Do Not Panic All is Well
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 12:56pmIt was an unlawful detention, a violation of the fire code to lock those doors. the owner should be arrested.
Report Post »JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 12:56pm@ CptStubbing
And before you state that restaurants don‘t take out of a waiter’s pocket for walkouts… Think again:
http://wiserwaitress.com/the-menu/wage/
“Requiring server’s to pay the bill for customers who walk out,mistakes on bills, food sent back and breakages that bring the servers wage below min wage. for example, if a walkout occured and the bill was $200, the owner could not make the server pay the entire amount. Under the revised FLSA fact sheet #15, the employer may in some cases only withhold an amount that does not bring the servers wage below the federal minimum wage of $7.25.”
By the FLSA, so long as the end wage in $7.25 an hour, the restaurant can hold a walkout against the employee, and regularly does.
Report Post »JBanon
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 1:41pmThe customer is not always right. That is just a motto that a lot of businesses try to put into practice. Perhaps it’s such a common motto because keeping customers happy tends to keep them coming back. However, even stores that swear by this motto only take it so far. Obviously if they catch you trying to steal merchandise they don’t let you walk out with it under the umbrella of “the customer is always right.”
Report Post »I’ve never understood why people throw this phrase out as if it is some sort of rule that businesses must adhere to. If the customer doesn’t like not always being right they can take their business elsewhere.
MN NICE
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 2:32pmOn a similar note… We purchased a canoe a couple years back… Was an unstable POS and were always getting wet… Until we painted it black and it hasn’t tipped since!!
Report Post »tootsie roll
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 3:20pmtry waiting tables. try waiting on ignorant like these two who think OBAMA WILL COVER THEIR TIP.
Report Post »REMEMBER I DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR MY CAR OR RENT BECAUSE OBAMA IS PRESIDENT
Waiting on the public can be quite hard, especially when you run into people like these two who are rude and think they own you.
They think you can not complain Well waiters are humans and more people should be aware of this
fact= THEY servers in restuarants/ get 4.35 an hour NOT Min. wage and have to declare 10% of their tips. Now pal tell me you want to put up with people like these two women for that kind of money.
TX Pro-Lifer
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 3:39pmAs someone who has waited tables in Houston, let me fill you in on a few things. (I worked at a casual-dining steakhouse, so some of these comments might not apply in other contexts.)
1) Servers in Texas make $2.13, not $2.70 as some have guessed here, and definitely not minimum wage. If our wage and our tips over the course of a week didn’t average out to minimum wage, then the restaurant would cover the rest. That happened exactly ONCE during the three years I waited tables.
2) This article didn’t say how many people were in the group or what the servers thought of them. As I said, large groups can take a huge effort just to keep up, and more than once I‘ve seen service slip on a waiter’s other tables because a large party was taking up all of his time and energy. I’d like to know how demanding this “group of friends” was. Teens tend to be the worst anyway, worse than any racial group taken together.
3) Servers have to share our tips. At the place where I worked, we sacrificed 3% of our SALES, not our tips, to give to the bussers, hosts/hostesses, possibly bartenders… since I only ever waited tables I don’t remember exactly. If a table comes in and spends $100 but only tips $10, then I effectively just got a 7% tip. Don’t think a 15% tip covers good service. 15% is standard, 10% is poor, 20% or more is good. And please, PLEASE, never tip less than $5. Coming in for a burger and fries (around $15 after a drink or two and tax) and leave $3… you just was
Report Post »getalong
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:41pmHere’s the deal. Large groups take up alot of a server’s time and energy. Usually the server has to give up other tables (and tips) in order to take care of the large group. Also a server usually distributes her tip with bus boys, cooks, and hostesses. If the menu states there is an automatic gratuity added to the bill, then the customer should pay it. Believe me, I worked in the restaurant business for many years, and I don’t mean to be racist, but the truth is that black are horrible tippers no matter how good the service is. Pay up or don’t eat there!
Report Post »FFTyranny
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 6:16pmHey CptStubbing
You might want to do more research,
I myself worked as a waiter for 4 different restaurants and they all started out paying a wage of 2.10 an hour plus tips. We raked in on a good night $100-$150. And if we didnt have one single customer all night, which NEVER happen. We would be paid minimum wage. That rarely happened because the manager would cut the staff if it were to get the slow.
So to keep you from being any more ignorant. Check the STATE wage and hour division, not the Federal. The federal only applies to federal employees.
It amazes me at how many know-it-all’s we have in this world.
Report Post »ReaganThatcherChurchill
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:34pmTips are optional by definition. Restaurants wanting a “large group surcharge” should call it something else.
Report Post »In the 1960s, many waitresses worked for tips alone and made a decent living. Then government extended minimum wage protection to restaurant staff. Small restaurants could not afford to pay it and fired all their wait staff… The owners went back to waiting on customers.
JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:15pm@ ReaganThatcherChurchill
It is not called a tip when they add it to the bill for large groups. It is called a Gratuity fee, and is a charge to compensate for tips. As stated by many servers previously, servers often have to give up other tables to serve the large group which cut into their tips should they have smaller tables. Imagine a table of 20-30 people. It could get pretty demanding real quick. Not to mention issue with splitting tabs if it was not expressed earlier that people will pay separate, problems with part of the group not tipping because others tip well, that the waitress/waiter tips out the staff… and you will see why the fee has become mandatory by many establishments.
Many others who claim that they get minimum wage and should be happy at that, suggests to me that they would expect strippers to work for minimum wage too. I guess they have the Secret Service mindset in talking down a prostitute from $800 down to $30… In their mindset, “Hey, it’s better than minimum wage!”
Report Post »CptStubbing
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:27pm@ johnny
I know, the tips are counted toward, minimum wage. The server gets at least minimum wage. Are you slow or something? Their mandatory “gratuity” goes to the restaurant and like I said the restaurant can if they so choose disperse the money to the servers or they can choose not to. The restaurant has to make sure the server gets minimum wage. If the restaurant keeps whatever is extra from the mandatory “gratuity,” it’s their right.
BTW I could care less what is customary to tip. Tipping is not part of the bill. That you feel the need to give your money away is your prerogative, but there is no reason why you should have any say in where my money goes.
And as you said, “By the FLSA, so long as the end wage in $7.25 an hour, the restaurant can hold a walkout against the employee, and regularly does.” I guess it’s good they have their minimum wage.
I didn’t realize there were this many liberals on The Blaze.
It’s funny how you feel the need to quote movies as your source of inspiration, perhaps you should get a better job than serving tables at the local Applebee’s.
@fftyranny
Of course the manager would cut the staff if it’s slow; they aren’t making any money to pay you.
The FLSA applies to all establishments across the United States, unfortunately. The stupid commerce clause keeps getting in the way. So, if you guys are so moronic as to say Minimum wage isn’t enough, You should advocate for raising it, like good li
Report Post »cmi
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:08pmThe restaurant is probably damn lucky they didn’t try to soak them for the entire bill!!
Report Post »stumpy68
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 12:32amFor all the people that say service would suffer if tips were eliminated
Report Post »and wages raised its called fire those that cant or wont do the job right
its been working in every other form of employment why not this one?
JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 2:31am@ CptStubbing
First off, know that the founding fathers were liberals….
Learn your history dumba$$:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU-8Uz_nMaQ
It is called CLASSICAL LIBERALISM. You tool of a conservative have been fooled in thinking conservative MEANS LIBERTY. It doesn’t, it stood for CONSERVING POWER TO THE STATE. The progressive hyjacked the name and you uneducated keep falling into their lies.
Secondly, I like how you think I work for Applebee’s yet I never served a table in my life. I have my degree in Business Management and I work as an SEM analyst with Google, Bing /Yahoo!, and other vertical and search distribution sources. My knowledge comes from the SECOND job I hold as a karaoke jockey for 12 years for Centerstage Entertainment. You are a tool and a buffoon. LMAO
You are the one who claimed WE WERE LYING. You are just justifying yourself being a cheap person. My quotes were from a movie, yes… The point was to show you have something in common with a cliche. Sorry if you were too daft to pick that up.
You are the dipsh!t that is claiming to raise minimum wage… not me. You are stating we should ask for them to raise it. That is MORE REGULATION. The point is, the job is, and always has been, a tip based position. It is part of our culture. The only thing you are defending is your inability to PAY the staff what they are worth and the service they provide.
Report Post »JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 2:44am@ CptStubbing
As someone stated earlier, waitress use to be paid ONLY in tips. When minimum wage came, nearly all lost their jobs until FLSA allowed for the establishments to credit the wages to adjust for the tips. You claim it is a cheap boss and the need for more regulation. Minimum wage is not a liveable wage, which makes me wonder how long you lived out of your parent’s basement. Do the math, $15,080 a year. With $200 in utility bills, $500 rent, $300 a month for gas/maintenance for the car, $200 for food a month (which is pretty much Ramen Noodles), $60 for car insurance, and they have about $90 or $20 a week to have fun. Meanwhile, they work harder than any fast food employee ever has in his life. Mostly for ungrateful people like you you look down on them in an elitist view. You have no respect for others. Sorry man, I am calling you out. You can call me liberal, but I am not asking for more regulation. I believe in the FREE MARKET that demands you pay them based on their service to you. Which is customary in AMERICA in the form of TIPPING. It is the MOST FREE MARKET anyone can get. But you are the one hiding behind the regulations of minimum wage as justification. I may be a liberal, but you my friend are a progress through and through. You don’t want to pay people their fair share for the work the offer and give the progressives the strength they need.
Report Post »JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 2:54am@ CptStubbing
Keep lying and tell yourself you are for freedom. You are only for yourself and feel that workers are your servants. LMAO… Honestly, you are the stupid one if you honestly think I am for regulation or support it. I am simply stating the responsibility is on the customer to take care of the staff. You want the restaurant to pay them more? Well the $9.99 burger will raise to $15. Economics is my thing daddy-o… You think the boss will take the hit? No… It is like when they are taxed more, the have two choices layoff people or raise prices. So they will raise prices, and beyond the 18%. You forget that the tips also include FICA and SS, which is not out of the Employer’s pocket and now will be. They will have to pay more than $7.25, so waiters would have to make $10-12 minimum for anyone to due the work. Why would they work as a waiter with more responsibility when they could work at McDonald’s? Oh and that kills small businesses and increases Big Business which pays for lobbyists to push more regulation… But hey, as a “liberal” according to you, I believe in that. Yet I am speaking 100% against that. It is the customer’s responsibility. I don’t know of ANY establishment that does not give the gratuity to the servers, not one. I have many friends who are servers too. NOT ONE in over 150 bars/restaurants. But they hold walkouts against the server.
Report Post »JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:03am@ CptStubbing
My guess is you worked for the Military and never had to server the public in a way like a waiter or waitress. Nor do you commonly associate with them, else you would know and understand the issues of the job, the stresses and the bonus (IE THE TIPS). Read every post by a server (or once server) on here, they 100% agree with me. Tipping is mandatory, even with what you call bad service. You started treating me and others rude when you first posted by calling us liars and idiots with you elitist statement. So I know for a fact that you never had your livelihood dependent on others’ judgement of your performance and how ungrateful society actually is. Heck, I am not tip based when I am running karaoke, and people have the same mentality as you. That they are so much better than everyone else. You obviously think all servers are stupid, else they would be working somewhere else. 95% of all servers I met were in college and working hard to pay for school and living in the one JOB that can give them the wage to do that. They are really smart people. They do tend to be a little socialist, but when people like you hide behind minimum wage as an excuse to be a cheap ba$tard, cn you really blame them.
Maybe they would be more capitalistic if you actually were a capitalist you progressive hack.
Report Post »JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:15am@ stumpy68
When you are willing to pay for a $15 burger and a $2 water, then I will take you serious with your comment. You really need to study economics and understand what paying them a living wage would do to the price of the food, especially when the restaurant would have to cover all walkouts and wrong orders (even if it was the customer’s fault). It is just easier to tip $3-4 on that $10 tab. You, and the server, will be happier and you will have cheaper prices in the end. It is the customer’s responsibility. If it wasn’t for the 18% gratuity fee, most servers would never take a large group table.
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/average-profit-margin-restaurant-13477.html
These are small business with a profit margin of around 3% per table under $15. Not to mention the profit margin goes down, not up when the bill raises ($25 or more) the margin drops to 1.8%. This is because the higher end food have higher costs, and they most remain relatively affordable to have them ordered on a regular basis (which is why they have specials). Otherwise you have the cost of spoilage of the food. The margin is not there to pay the waiters $10-12 an hour, nor is the volume that of fast food in order to compensate. Thus, it is a tip based job and part of the atmosphere for a higher end food compared to fast food.
Report Post »demsaredumb
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 4:23amThe real crime here was locking them in, I would sue the restaurant with with holding against my will. Not tipping is not a crime, holding against your will is.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 7:07am@Silversmith
Report Post »You do understand what a living wage is, right? It would mean in today’s economy raising the minimum wage to about $16 an hour. If you pay the guy at McDonald’s $16 to flip burgers, do you know how much that burger will cost? That would start a vicious cycle of raising food prices, then the wages, ad nausea. tips ensure good service. If I was getting even minimum wage (which is currently somewhere around $7.25 I believe) but had the chance to earn more for being nice and giving good service, I would definitely be nice and give good service. If you make it automatic, where’s the incentive to be nice and give good service? I’ve said it before, it’s like the Department of Motor Vehicles. They don’t have to be nice to you because you HAVE to go to them. It would be the same with some servers. They don’t have to be nice because you HAVE to tip.
loriann12
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 7:14am@Susanna
Report Post »I live near Dallas. We have a pizza buffet called Cici’s. When a family of Mexicans come in they make a huge mess, let their kids run around the restuarant and only eat the bottom of the pizza slices, leaving huge plates full of 3″ of crust. They waste food, leave a mess and disrupt every one else’s eating experience. I can’t imagine if they went to a sit-down restaurant and wanted someone serving them.
Tib
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 7:21amCustomer is NOT always right, they are only right when the restaurant says they are, or any establishment. How can the customer always be right, if they reach in the servers pocket and take her tips and leave are they right? If they throw plates and food, yell and scream during their meal are they right? Of course not! Saying the customer is always right is a stupid comment to make and totally untrue. The minimum tip was 17%, now how much they choose to leave in excess of the minimum they can base on service as they perceive it. The first 17% is mandatory and included on the menu as part of the charge for the meal. They should pay it and shut up. In fact they should have added more money in addition to it.
Report Post »JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 8:06am@ loriann12
It is not that they are making it mandatory on every tab. It is only on large groups. As some servers said that commented on here, a group takes time and inhibits the server from serving other tables. This reduces their tips. I have seen that most places that have this policy are ones that do not due tip pools. Look them up, it is where all tips are gathered and distributed. The idea on this is that servers help each other and it balances out the large group issue.
Another, more free market way, is to make the group pay a minimum to insure the server doesn’t lose out on their possible earnings should they get a large group. The issue comes in that people who are complaining about this do not want to pay it. As many have suggested, it is a free market, don‘t go there if you don’t like it. Call advance. Leave when you see the sign. Tell the manager why you are leaving. If you remove the fee, what is the incentive for the server to wait the table? They will lose on their tips because they have to give up other tables. Let’s be honest here, this is 100% about a free market.
You don’t like smoking in an establishment, don’t go there. It is the owner’s right to post whatever rules they want. You don’t like it, go somewhere else. It is a tip based system and the policy is only an “in house” one. I find it fair and necessary, especially with groups that are notorious bad tippers.
Report Post »JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 8:20am@ loriann12
What groups you ask? You thought I was going to say black, right? I have heard it from almost every server, so I guess it is partly true. But I am more speaking on European tourists. They are notoriously know for bad tipping. Why? Waiters make a living wage in Europe. The tips are for beyond the basic service. Unfortunately, we do not do that here, because our culture would freak at the cost of food and the food industry would pretty much fold overnight if they charged more. It was the one of the biggest industries hit after 2008. Why? Disposable income dropped, so people ate out less. Many places try coupons and discounts to get the traffic, because they are trying to survive.
Not to mention that walkouts are charged to the server. Now I have had many jobs in retail and I never got charged from my pay if someone shoplifted. I never was deducted pay for doing a bad job… I have seen people fired, but they by law needed to make their pay. What is not tipping, but theft of the time and energy of the server? You have a right to rate the service, you have the right to not tip in many cases. The question is, is it morally correct to not tip at all? The fact remains that it is subjective scale that is biased on both sides. Not to mention if the food was slow, was it the servers fault? If it was wrong, was it that the cook didn’t cook it enough. Complain to management, that goes further than not tipping.
Report Post »JohnnyMidknight
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 8:30am@ demsaredumb
Not true… It is shoplifting as the policy states the fee will be imposed. Look at it this way, do you have a choice not to pay your mechanic if they give bad service? No. If they did the work, you need to pay for the parts and labor. Even if it took longer than expected. Don’t and they can lean your car and hold until you do pay. Is that theft? No, it is 100% legal.
Same with Plumbers and electricians. You do not have the ability to drop their wage if they are late or an unforeseen issue arises and it takes them longer or the have an attitude. Are you legally liable to pay them? Yes.
The holding the customers for refusal to pay is like a store detaining a shoplifter, which is 100% legal. Otherwise, we would have lawsuits up to our necks regarding that policy in the countless “held against their will lawsuits”. You want to talk about a waste of government money, I think the legal system is a good place to start cutting the overspending. Maybe a loser pays all costs. Cutting overburdening government regulation would be another fine start.
If it was illegal to hold them against their will as you state? Wouldn’t the police have addressed this and arrested the manager? It is kidnapping by your mindset, which is a felony. They didn’t and the people paid their outstanding balance… Why? Because it was 100% legal under grounds of theft, as the policy was clearly stated.
Report Post »greenturtle407
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 10:02amI can understand why they were upset. First off, I NEVER give a 17% tip even for the best wait service, second I don’t think that it ought to be automatically charged for groups EVER!!! let the group decide what the tip should be.
Report Post »Deborah
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 5:47amI’ll never forget a particular incident when I worked my first job in a fast-food restaurant. A male customer repeatedly brought his hamburger back to the servers because he wasn’t satisfied. Finally, the manager took the plain hamburger on the bun with all the condiments still in their containers and had the customer fix the sandwich himself. Loved it!!
Report Post »SaneAmerican
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:46amA portion of the tip deserves to be a reflection of the service. These people get paid less than minimum wage and they perform a job. If you don’t like their service, tell their manager. If you like their service tip them well, but if you stayed long enough to get your food, they deserve to be paid.
Report Post »poor athiest
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 4:05pmPeople do not understand what kind of an effect a large party has on a server. Let me give you an example the server may have only 4 tables a large party is going to take up 2 of those 4 stations and since these tend to be special events or social gatherings they tend to tie up those tables for a much longer time. so that one party of 8 can end up replacing 4 parties of 4 will all those parties leave 17% no but some will leave more it all averages out 1 large party can take half your tables for half your night or in other words may end up being 25% of your tips for the evening. It is just a fact of life that even if great service is given some people do not tip properly. Not a big deal if it is one of 16 tables for the night but when your total number of tables gets cut to handle a big party the bad tip can ruin your evening. A large party also effects the level of service you can give your other tables effecting the tips you will receive from there. Management at these establishments should allow the customer to dispute the charge pay the server and then pay closer attention to that server to insure that the server is providing the level of service they require make the servers job on the line if customers continue to complain. My previous employer would remove the gratuity if the customer complained and it happened a few times but my employer knew i was an outstanding server. I also at times removed that auto gratuity if i felt my service was sub par.
Report Post »lildeb56
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:59pmI smell lawsuit. No one should have to pay for lousy service – no matter WHAT the policy. That policy just enables bad service and the servers know it!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:24pmA “lock in”… is Kid Napping (hold one against their will)!
Report Post »Suzanne D
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:45pmI absolutely agree with you, although a lawsuit sounds like overkill. EVEN IF the restaurant’s policy is on the door, the menu and twenty other places, the general public believes that a gratuity is given in return for acceptable service. There is NO WAY to know ahead of time if the service will be acceptable. Shame on this restaurant owner and manager for not refunding the gratuity when a customer complains service is bad. They fully deserve the horrid publicity they are now getting.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:47pmHold me against my will and I get to show you my concealed weapon…You cannot kidnap me.
Report Post »bumfuzeled
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:00pmIf you can’t afford to eat out, don’t. This has nothing to do with the quality of service. 99% of black diners do not tip especially if their waitstaff is white. Not racist just experience. Blacks often go to the higher end restaurants raking up huge bills only to complain, once every plate is clean, about the service or quality of the food not only avoiding a tip but often comping a free meal or desert to go. The after church crowd on Sunday is not much better.
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:09pmIt‘s not kid napping fact is it’s no different then detaining a shop lifter .
Report Post »justin.blake
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:10pmThe problem is that service deemed acceptable for a tip is subjective. You could work your tail off and do your darndest to take care of a group, but THEY are the ones who ultimately decide that the service was tip-worthy. Some pay 10%, others more. However, anyone could ‘decide’ that their service was not up to THEIR standards, and either leave a low tip, or not tip altogether. So if tipping is so subjective, don’t take it out on the servers . Rather, look at the tons of intellectually dishonest folks who demand far more than any sensible person would and are cheap tippers, or at the industry as a whole who pay low wages, and dip their fingers into the tips earned by hard working servers who are being rewarded for their personal effort.
Report Post »I support God's Israel!
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:28pmAsk BEFORE YOU ARE SEATED, IF THEY HAVE THIS POLICY. Take them to SMALL CLAIMS COURT.
I know I will never eat there because I NEVER go to a business that has this, nor do I go to a business that prevents me from carrying my concealed carry gun, which I have a license for. Luckily, most business around me, love it when I walk in cause they know that I will do my best to protect them if a crime occurs. However, it is not something you ever want to wish for.
STAY AWAY FROM THOSE RESTAURANTS. I tip very well. In fact, I will tip 25% if it is excellent service.
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:39pmPlease luke. It is not kidnapping. Please don’t pervert the laws any more than they already are. You know, like “assault”. It used to mean attacking and hurting somebody physically. Now, it is considered assault if you yell at somebody. So please get your head out of your ass. They were NOT kidnapped. They just didn’t want a party of blacks to screw them out of their money like they do all the fricking time. Blacks want whitey to kiss thier damn feet and they are demanding, rude, and dishonest. It is standard operating procedure for them. You will never be able to legislate the thoughts of man no matter how hard you try. Blacks will never get respect because the govt tell us to respect them. They have to earn it.
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:14pmI agree with bumfuzeled and johnjamison not only that but big parties are very hard work anything over 20 can be very hard think about you have 20 people that expect to get their food all at the same time all their drinks at the same time this can back up many other tables food because to get it perfect all other orders must be stopped or put on hold to satisfy the group because larges groups love to complain well I should say there is always one or two that kick up the complaint bull crap.
Unless you have done big parties shut your trap you don’t know what you are talking about it can be very difficult.
One other thing you goons forget is this one table sucks up all the servers time and energy and their ability to take on other tables in fact most waiters don’t like big tables they lose tips on them even with a guaranteed tip because sometime that is the only table they get all shift.
So buzz off you complaining IDIOTS.
Report Post »jspec33
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 1:24amNo it’s not a lock in if they are stealing. If it says it on the menu and you don’t read it tough ****. When you read the menu it is disclosed in every restaurant I’ve been to and you pay it. If not you are stealing from the restaurant and the server who also is aware of that policy and is expecting to paid accordingly. If the server sucks and they get complaints they get fired. It’s not like a union job you can actually get fired.
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:58amAsk BEFORE YOU ARE SEATED, IF THEY HAVE THIS POLICY. Take them to SMALL CLAIMS COURT.
I know I will never eat there because I NEVER go to a business that has this, nor do I go to a business that prevents me from carrying my concealed carry gun, which I have a license for. Luckily, most business around me, love it when I walk in cause they know that I will do my best to protect them if a crime occurs. However, it is not something you ever want to wish for.
We don‘t want your business if that’s your policy fact is when serving large groups make the wait staff work twice as hard to keep up with regulars tables. sometimes they even have to let others waiters wait their tables to serve large groups. The automatic system makes it worth their while to service large groups.
Report Post »However if you’re a cheap and careless person then go in a large group but do multiple tickets.
paperpushermj
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:58pmNot sure I like this system some restaurants have set up of shifting who is responsible for paying the server staff. If I the Customer am now paying the server directly can I negotiate, or at lest maybe get a car wash for providing the server with an income that night?
Report Post »dktrdktr
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:33pmYou might consider looking at this from the point of view of the restaurant and waiter/waitress. Typically the waiter/waitress is paid an houlrly wage which is often much less than the minimum set for businesses where the employees do not get tips. On a typical night, where most of the tables have 2 to 6 diners, the waiter/waitress serves many tables so if some diners and are cheap and/or irritated and some are appreciative and/or generous, it evens out and the waiter/waitress makes a reasonable amount of money for hard work. However, for a large party, that large party may be the only table served by that waiter/waitress in a single night. If the large party decides to stiff them, they might go home with literally less than $15-20 for 3 or 4 hours of work. Thus restaurants often adopt this 17% minimum to protect their employees from having to risk their pay for a whole night on a single table as that table may or may not be unreasonable. Without this rule, it would be very difficult to get waiters/waitresses to want to serve large parties; so assigning a large party could become tantamount to punishing an employee. In my view, if the menu clearly states the rule, the diners should pay at least the 17%. If the service was bad, the diners should pay the 17% and inform the manager and never come back.
Report Post »No one waiting tables is getting rich doing it and if they don’t satisfy well over half of their customers regularly, they quickly move on to something else.
4xeverything
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:13pmAs a former server, the word tips always meant: To Insure Prompt Service. Even though our policy to add gratuity to a larger group was written on the menu (in very fine print, I might add), I never did. It was my choice and I always chose not to because I was confident in my abilities as an employee to be prompt with service and to take all responsibility when my service was not to the customer’s satisfaction. I would have had the manager at least take off 17% of the total bill in food and/or beverage to satisfy my customer. When you make NO MORE than 1/2 of minimum wage, then repeat business is your bread and butter.
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:26pm4xeverything
You sir are not a good server if you say the restaurant must do the right thing you have no understanding of how the business works and if we did do as you say force the manager/restaurant to discount their check I would fire you ASAP for even suggesting such a thing so you must think you own the place WHO do you think you are that attitude I will never put up with.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 2:51amMy washing machine needed some repair so we called in an approved Mechanic for that make. The rate he wanted to charge was outrageous and when I asked him “Why so High” he said I was the only call he had that day, as I should him the door I said “It was not my responsibility to make his day”
Report Post »I mention this because it is not my responsibility to pay a server enough to make their day. If a restaurant hires servers maybe the weight of paying that person should fall on the establishment not on the customers. The customer come in, chooses from the menu knowing the price charged. Are you claiming the restaurant can charge a handling charge? If that is the case I would never visit that establishment again.
RepubliCorp
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 3:33am4XEVERYTHING you are full of crap….
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 3:46amPAPERPUSHERMJ you sound like a Canadian……. you didn’t ask what the hourly rate was? If not, that would be your fault and not very bright
Report Post »4xeverything
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:07am@MIKEV5
I know, how dare me honest. If I ever choose to not be a stay at home mom in the future, I’ll remember not to get a job from you. ;0)
@REPUBLICORP
Report Post »I was a server all through highschool, college, and then into my twenties. I made enough money to pay for college and my apartment and bills. I learned that taking responsibility for my job, not only made me a butt load of cash, but also showed that I had character. You may not have ability to trust honesty when see and/or hear it, but I find being an honest person is quite liberating.
Tricornes
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 10:02am@dktrdktr: Thanks, very informative.
Report Post »Clmsadjman
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:56pmThis large group thing is BS that just encourages a bad waitress or waiter to not try because they know they are guaranteed a tip even if he service sucks. If indeed it did suck I would not have paid it either. These servers a lot of times think they are entitled to a tip even if their service sucks I often leave zero when service sucks and even write on the receipt the service suck and I won’t be back.
Report Post »chewfatlip
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:42amA TIP should depend on the service. And I am not sure about the 17% suggestion. If I order a small salad and water or if I order an expensive entree – what difference is it to the server. I don’t think he/she works twice as hard to bring the expensive meal than the cheap one. It’s just a scam.
Report Post »Tib
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 2:14amwhat is with you folks? 17% is the MINIMUM for service that sucks… now from there you can add to it for ok service or exceptional service…. it is part of the cost of eating out. It is how the system is set up. IF you do not like it do not eat at a place that provides full service. You have no right to ever leave less than 17% its what you leave in excess of that amount which is dependent upon your view of the level of service.
Report Post »FromSeaToSea
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:55pmPeople have to respect the menu. Apparently is had an offer of 17% group gratuity and this lady accepted the contract. Vote with your money.
She could have paid the bill and then put the charge on hold with the credit card company as disputed. This also works.
Report Post »circleDwagons
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:11pm“people have to respect the Menu” LOL
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:13pm“Respect my Authoritrout”.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:01pmLOL ..they are cutting their own throats (so to speak) if the service is good I tip MORE than 17% but tell me I MUST tip bad service and I will not be back and I will tell my friends and they will tell theirs and so on and so on .. I know it CAN put a place out of business.
Report Post »roy3331
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:10pmYou got pal that’s what I would do
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:54pmGroup gratuity is the norm. However, 5 should not constitute a group. If you get bad service, the gratuity should be negotiable and not automatic no matter what. In that case, the restaurant can continue to give poor service when groups are involved. That is highway robbery in my book.
The other thing, if my daughter’s family when to a restaurant it would automatically be 17%; she has four kids plus her and husband. Serving 5 stake no more effort than serving 4 or 6 people. A group to me is when you have two families, co-workers meeting up for drinks and dinner etc. Most restaurants I have frequented use ten or more as a group.
On the other side of the coin a group can claim poor service to avoid paying the standard gratuity, so both sides have its drawbacks.
Report Post »taxwarrior
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:19pmAsk people who have waited table in Utah how that works. If 10% is good enough for God it’s good enough for the waitress.
And think about the large families, often with a couple of crying kids under 4. Parents letting their little darlings take out a little energy in the restaurant (we want them to sleep well tonight). Your often lucky to get the 10% (hey with 6 kids how much money do you think we have for a tip).
Etc. No matter where you go there‘s always a group who don’t like to tip.
Raise the prices, I’ll pay. DEMAND that I tip and I get pi$$ed off.
Report Post »BetterInformed
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:15pmSo taxwarrior
TIP, “To Insure Promptness”, an incentive to get of ones butt, do the little extra, in hopes of picking up a few extra bucks, or NOT.
Report Post »Regarding your other equally strange comments, we don’t tip Firemen, Soldiers or Toll Booth workers because they don‘t care if we’re out of iced tea. I hope this isn’t too complicated.
BTW Who cares if you get pi$$ed off?
MittensKittens
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:54pmWhat is it with blacks in Houston TX…Some think they are “entitled” to not have to follow the rules. Unfortunately my wife deals with this everyday when you goes to work in a retail store in one of the malls here…That‘s why she’s a CHL holder and carries a 380 with hollow points…Gotta love TX!
lildeb56
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:01pm@Mittens – I don’t think this had ANYTHING TO DO with their race. I am offended at your remark. Bad service should not deserve a tip, no matter how many are in the group. The group withholding the tip did NOT warrant the law being called. If I were those PEOPLE in the group (not “blacks”) I would sue.
Report Post »Best_Patriot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:06pmhaha, your wife works at the mall! loser.
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:10pmDo you think it is just Houston? Try Atlanta, Chicago, DC, and every other city with Mass Transit.
Report Post »Kisses6350
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:27pmWhat is it with “stupid” people? I am not going to pay the unreasinable tip to anyone i feel gave poor customer service. You see the sign, and it’s a roll of the dice as far as serivce is concerned. Note to your wife, pull that and might be a LE Officer. Or some could just take it from her. People will learn that just because you carry, you can control…………………. ****Smirks****
Report Post »therockczar
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:27pmSorry, Lilde,but race plays a big part. I worked in the food service industry and the majority of black people are ornery, leave small tips or none at all and think the entire restaurant is at their beckoned call. Don’t be offended–fix the freakin’ problem!!!
Report Post »KILLACOMMIE4MOMMY
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:29pmI think people have the RIGHT to be offended and are ENTITLED to be offended.
Offended, Im offended that you would be offended.
Report Post »lodgerat
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:32pmBest_Patriot
Report Post »Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:06pm
haha, your wife works at the mall! loser.
Th real loser is someone who make this kind of statement about good honest work.
callmechristina
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:40pm@Mittens…i think your comments portrays racial bias and a few other things. why focus on their race instead of the contents of story? ANYONE.. of any race… would not want to be forced to pay a %17 percent tip for terrible service. would you? and why mention the fact that your wife carries a firearm.. in case some customers don’t like the service she gives? sounds like killing a fly with a flame thrower! if working at the mall is such a dangerous occupation..maybe for her safety she should look for work elsewhere.
this story is completely outrageous. the restaurant did nothing but create bad publicity for itself. It is quite accepted that larger parties are charged more for a tip.. but what is not acceptable is being forced to generously tip lousy service.
not leaving a tip is not a criminal offense! it is a civil matter. not only did the manager act like a jack a$$, but they created a potential fire hazard by LOCKING the doors because someone didn’t want to pay a 17% tip for bad service. They paid for their food… it wasn’t a dine n dash.
Report Post »Best_Patriot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:52pm@lodgerat, she sounds unstable if she’s a retail mall worker packing heat. Oh people and their inflated sense of self-importance…guns certainly don’t help that matter. anyway, back to reading all the racist Blaze posts and the thinly veiled threats of violence contained within. you are a sick bunch, we should allot some land for you all in Texas or some other awful part of the country.
Report Post »captaincameron
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:29pmSadly, it is not just Houston, but as Chris Rock says, “I love black people. I hate N*****s.”
Report Post »usedCZARsalesman
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:37pmAnyone offended by pointing out the race of these folks simply has NO knowledge of the service industry. When I worked for tips helping the elderly/disabled board planes @ Detroit Metro Airport for 4 years, I serviced about 50% blacks/50% everyone else…My tips, however, were about 80% whites, 15% other and 5% blacks. I got stiffed by well over half the blacks, closer to 75% but was virtually NEVER stiffed by ANY other race. I am so friggin sick of every single time a person points out a FACT about black people they are branded racist. You think that attitude might have something to do with WHY the feel like they can treat people however the hell they want and get away with it?
Report Post »dixie63
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:28pmIts not just in Texas. A large percentage of blacks everywhere are very demanding, rude, loud, and lousy tippers. I worked retail for awhile, and some, not all, blacks would complain and hold up check out lines most days of the week. I have also seen them complaining, sending back orders over and over and harassing the waitress in restaurants, and then not tip at all or leave a ridiculous amount for their large, loud, demanding group.
Report Post »jaylew
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 4:47pm@Best Patriot…I would submit that in terms of “The Biggest Loser”…..between the woman who works in the mall…..and the “more than a few” of your snarky little stereotyping “sissy” punches…that you by far are the biggest loser on this thread. You find comments and the posters here on the Blaze as “entertainment fodder for your little pony avatar????” ….and you seriously believe that Texas is an “awful” place and that working at a mall makes one an automatic loser? Actually my little equine avatared and arrogantly irritating laptop lapper….it’s not the pistol that the mall working woman packs that is a menace to you….nor is it the state of Texas….either the literal state or the “state” that bounces around inside your mind…..the real danger for you my friend is that over time fewer and fewer people will bother reading or listening to anything you write or have to say. Your avatar will transform from horse to jacka$$….and eventually friendless and forumless… you will indeed become a carrot among peas…..a genuine stump among trees. Now go blow off some steam and get back to your Call of Duty video game….the single player version no doubt. People like you don’t fare too well at “getting along well with others.”
Report Post »lodgerat
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:52pmIf the service was lousy I shouldn’t have to pay. Even if it was posted on the menu how could you know until they serviced you that it would be bad service? I’ve run across a couple of terrible servers in my day. I always, happily tip when they are decent.
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:16pmIf the menu clearly states the business’s policy you should pay. You could however take yor grievances to the manage who could give you a rebate on the meal or a voucher for a future service.
Report Post »That being said do blacks hate to tip so much that they would rather go to jail then tip.
And this lady is probably a huge Barrak Obama supporter screaming about everyone should pay their FAIR SHARE until it her turn to pay a FAIR SHARE .
Tib
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 2:24amagain 17% is the minimum, feel free to leave a real tip in excess of that for service you feel is good or excellent. Locking them in, or detaining them till the police arrive is within their rights, they were attempting to commit theft of service, which is a criminal offense. They owe the money, they do not have the right to make up their own rules. Again 17% is the absolute minimum regardless, it was part of what they agreed to when they ordered from this menu in this establishment. Some of you say the restaurant is getting bad press? Heck I applaud them and would search out this establishment when in the area. I commend them for doing the right thing, defending the rights of there employees and not allowing anyone to dictate to them how much they are going to pay after the fact. If they wanted to question this policy ask up front, they would have been told it is the absolute MINIMUM and they can take it or leave it. Either stay or go, but those are the rules you agree to by patronizing this establishment. No one should ever tip less than 17% ever at any establishment anyway. IF you cant afford to add 17% to your check, you can not afford to eat there. Would you go in and order 30 dollars worth of food if you only had $25 to spend? Of course not, well the 17% is the least you should figure on top of any amount ever. Actually 20 to 30% if the service is good to excellent. It is how the world works… can’t afford it? Then do not eat out!
Report Post »Fat Pappy
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:50pmA local small town eatery has an 18% grat for parties of 6 or more. Service is horrible, simply because they know they will get the tip…. don’t go there anymore! Vote wit cha feet!
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:50pmUnlawful detainment, holding against will, possibly kidnapping charges with this situation.
Report Post »DogTags
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:11pmNot kidnapping, but false imprisonment. Kidnapping requires the element of transporting a person from one place to another.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:49pmWrongo dogtags…Its holding someone against their will…
Report Post »Sean In LI
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:53pmMost states have statues that allow merchants to detain individuals/customers if they suspect theft (in this case, of service) in order to investigate the situation.
In cases when people try to leave a restaurant without paying the check in full, merchants are usually allowed to detain folks if the police have been called, and the customers are informed that they are being detained until the police arrive to resolve the dispute.
Report Post »DogTags
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:35pmI do know what I am talking about, doggy. I am an attorney.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:48pmDo I smell “set up” coming?
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:45pmI‘d like to hear the other side’s story before I make any comments. I’m not in the habit of believing one side until I hear the other.
Report Post »lordjosh
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:58pmIt is unlawful for the manager to lock them inside. That is unlawful restraint. Furthurmore, because the cop could not answer the question of legality, it would be a civil matter and no one could force them to pay or arrest them for not.
Report Post »FloridaNotFlorida
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:00pmI agree that both sides should be heard on this, but vast restaurant experience tells me this:
- if its printed on the menu and posted else where, this is policy and terms of service…period.
- if a manager is compelled to call the police, they are being confronted.
- if the manager made it so they could not leave until paying their full bill, the police will side with the restaurant every-time in this situation….unless of course they were endangered, which in this case they clearly were not.
This will have zero effect on their business in the long run…though I bet the servers will take their jobs a lot more serious next time. And who’s to say the table was not overly demanding and rude?
Report Post »FloridaNotFlorida
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:05pmdetaining a diner who refuses to pay is the same as detaining a robber until the cops arrive.
Report Post »Suzanne D
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:54pm@ Floridanotflorida: and from my own “vast” restaurant experience, I can tell you that you are incorrect. 1) detaining a customer who refuses to pay is considered false imprisonment; the police were wrong to refuse to recognize this; and 2) you don‘t know you’ll get bad service until you have been served. To insist a customer pay an automatic gratuity is simply BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE. The manager had an opportunity to make this right and s/he failed to do so … therefore, the restaurant deserves the bad publicity it is getting.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:50pmSuze
Report Post »If I put a suit on in a clothing store can I just walk out without paying??
FloridaNotFlorida
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 11:43am@Suzanne D,
I have had an experience very similar to this happen, on more than one occasion. You ever heard of dine and dash? Same thing….Some one is trying to take advantage of you, Steal from you, in a threatening manner….yeah call the cops and do what you can to keep them there till they arrive….shoplifters are locked in offices…..there is no lawsuit here.
The key to this situation that most everyone here wants to ignore, is that by sitting down to a table and ordering after first passing a posted sign regarding group policy, and then having it printed on the menu you order from…..you have voluntarily agreed to the terms of service….period. Its like a contract; you may choose to try and negotiate that contract, but if the other side is not inclined to waiver from said agreement, then the contract stands…plain and simple..
This has nothing to do with service, or what some one else’s perception of what is “fair”….its called life.
Just last night, my wife (a very professional server) waited on a table of 20 rude and uncouth people (of a certain persuasion). They rattled my wife and ran her to point that she forgot to add the automatic gratuity…
THEY LEFT HER NO TIP….not a dime.
Report Post »CONAN THE CONSERVATIVE
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:44pmMerriam-Webster
something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service; especially : tip
Now that I do not agree with a restaurant requiring a 17% gratuity, but it is stated on the menu. It‘s restaurant’s choice. Kind of an a la carte thing. They went into the meal knowing this.
Report Post »Pay it, and inform the manager that due to the restaurant’s policy; you and your friends will not return do to such poor service. Oh, and BTW don’t return.
Suzanne D
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:57pmYour position is diametrically opposite to the definition for “tip” that you posted … or didn’t you notice that?
Report Post »CONAN THE CONSERVATIVE
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:57pm4. Since the service was bad, the patrons are obligated to pay the oxymoronic clause stipulated by most restaurants as “A Gratuity of XX% will be added to your bill for a party of X or more”. The key word being WILL. The patrons did not hold to the agreement. The original agreement did not provide a caveat of “if the service sucks…”.
So my original premise still stands, albeit a little fuzzy.
Synopsis:
Report Post »Yes, a tip is usually voluntary, but the restaurant has a right to define terms and you should pay. If you don’t like it, don’t come back.
Sheessh. A tip split x amount of ways. IT couldn’t have been worth it.
chewfatlip
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:32amWaiters don’t DESERVE a tip, they need to EARN it.
Report Post »klevalt
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:42pmWouldn’t locking them in be considered unlawful imprisonment? Shouldn’t the manager be arrested for that????
Report Post »I support God's Israel!
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:30pmIt’s call HOLDING SOMEONE AGAINST THEIR WILL OR RANSOMED ABDUCTION.
Report Post »Wat Tyler
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:15pm@ I SUPPORT CAESAR’S PALESTINE:
I noticed the fuzz didn’t want to touch that issue. If it was you or I it would be “false imprisonment”, but since it’s a rich business, it’s nothing.
They know that “f”ing with the rich is not conducive to the furtherment of their careers.
Report Post »boiz
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:50amNo, they were trying to STEAL from the restaraunt. It’s kind of like a citizens arrest.
Report Post »flamebroiled
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:41pmSo the customers were locked in? Sounds like a violation of fire safety law, and possibly violations of kidnapping/unlawful confinement laws as well. I’m not sure exactly how the whole tipping aspect would have played out in court, but I’ll be the potential fines imposed on the restaurant and/or manager would have been far greater than the 17% difference on the bill.
Report Post »dblaess
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:00pmAfter reading the facts available and not being an attorney, I would think the patrons should talk to an attorney about the points you and klevalt bring up. Sounds like some conflict over contract law, implied contract, between the restaurant and patrons, not a criminal matter.
Report Post »DogTags
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:15pmSee my post that is posted further down. I am an attorney and I predict a lawsuit for false imprisonment. The manager also extorted the money out of them. That is a criminal act. There will likely be a countersuit for breach of contract.
Report Post »Salamander
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:13pmIt‘s a good thing they didn’t have a fire while the patrons were locked in–manslauteer, maybe? possibly murder? Pretty serious crime over disputed service! If I had been the manager, I would have ‘comped’ the entire bill–and told them “Please DO NOT come back!” Take your gripes elsewhere! Then, I would have reamed the staff for letting the situation get out of control! If there is an inkling that things aren’t going well, you need to get a manager involved–pronto!
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:37amYeah RIIIIGGGHHHHTTT-kidnapping. And Bank Robbery is nothing more than making “an improper withdrawal”–PPPPPPPFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTTT……………………………………………………………..
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:41pmBesides everyone seems to be whining and griping about something now-a-days and that is not particularly newsworthy. In fact, it is quite silly.
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:34amWhat people are “whining” about is the “gimme gimme, you owe me whitey” attitude of blacks running around loose in America today. People are quite sick of them. Most but not all of them are big mouthed violent ******** that need to be put back into their place. And yes, their place is being just plain old Americans like everybody else. Not “super, protected, favored, extra rights, you owe me” loudmouths like most of them are today.
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:41pmIf you were aware of the policy and knew your group was large enough to qualify for the automatic tip, then you’ve got nothing to complain about. This is why I absolutely will not go to an establishment that has these policies. I don’t automatically get good service, so I’m not automatically giving anyone a tip.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:26amMost restaurants have this policy ……. with good reason.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:40pmHere’s a tip: Ask before hand when you arrive about the gratuity. If you don’t agree to it, then leave.
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:52pm@Kickinback…up here in Jersey we refer to this behavior as TNBS…
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:39pmI see the reasoning behind “automatic gratuity” but in a lot of cases it can be way over the top, and a disaster waiting to happen. The guest(s) should control the amount of the “tip”.
Report Post »Wat Tyler
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:09pmTIME_2_BEGIN_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_16:
As usual, your opinion is warped. You should probably stick with hanging out in little boys’ bathrooms.
Report Post »RougeFastFingers
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:38pmA ‘tip’ like this is an illegal surcharge, a tip is supposed to be voluntary.
They should sue them.
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:18pmYou’re kidding right? Watresses make crap for pay and most of their money is in the form of tips…..I even tip at fast food resturants when the service is great.
Report Post »RougeFastFingers
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:55pmYou’re kidding right?
Do you not understand what the word gratuity means?
gra·tu·i·ty: A favor or gift, usually in the form of money, given in return for service.
Notice the word FAVOR OR GIFT, NOT AN OBLIGATION.
Its a wonder how some people function with so little understanding of langauge.
Report Post »AnAmericanToo
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:15pmI agree with you.
I am also shocked at the irrational response of the manager to lock customers in the establishment and involve law enforcement into this absurd dispute. Shame, shame upon that manager and his poor judgment. No wonder the customers felt they had poor service — look at the way the manager treats customers.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:38pmThis girl should not have to pay an “automatic” gratuity. I think that is kidnapping and duress what they put her through. If this is agreed to before the party, that should have been included as somekind of fee for scheduling the party, not described as a tip, especially if the service is sub-standard. A tip is just that, a tip. If they do not want to schedule parties without a fee, then they should explain that. It should be a matter of communication and not based upon tipping for service that was never given.
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:08pmMake up your mind.. Too many people are either A. People are becoming too whiney, or B. This girl should not have to pay the gratuity… Dude… You can’t have it both ways. So, what’ll it be?
Report Post »Cavallo
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:40pmDon’t call is a gratuity. Call it a service fee.
Report Post »Minonkman
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:37pmThey paid it, because they would have went to jail. I bet they voted for Obama.
Report Post »Kisses6350
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:45pm@Mino…………. Good service is good serivce and should be rewarded. If the service is bad, then it should be my choice on how much i want to leave for a tip! And what the heck does that have to do with the POTUS? What does an Oboma supporter look like anyways? Hush it Ole Lady. ****Smirks*****
Report Post »Joe_2112
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:53pm@kisses – By your logic anybody could claim the service wasn’t good enough and skip the gratuity payment. The bottom line is …. the obligation to pay the fee is IN WRITING.
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:35pmOn a bright note: there were no chair or tables thrown, and no YouTube video there of.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:42pmI‘m guessing they didn’t serve waffles.
team1blazer
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:33pmAnd in the end, the restaurant will lose (much business)….idiot manager.
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:27amThey will lose BLACK business. If you call being treated rudely and shafted tips business. Let them cook their own damn food.
Report Post »jonnyturbo
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:32pmIf the business has a policy and you don‘t like their policy then you don’t have to go to that business. The policy was marked on the menu. Seems like a pretty simple situation.
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:25amYou don’t understand Johnny. Rules and regulations are only for whitey to follow. They don’t apply to blacks. Don’t you see?
Report Post »walkandtalk
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:10pmThe quality of service should be good to receive a 17% gratuity For 5 people to attach an automatic gratuity is a bit much. I have seen it for parties of 8 or more as it requires more time but five could be a family with three small children. Furthermore these people were held against their will. A patron should have good service. If the statements of the patrons were in fact correct the service was poor. From the article they did not refuse to pay they questioned the percentage of the gratuity based on poor service. A smart manager would have lowered the gratuity. Now they have a negative image. Restaurants can not afford negative publicity. It is a difficult market at best. Locking these people in has created bad press for this establishment.
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