Mandatory Tipping for Groups

[IrvineCommuter_IHB]

Just saw this news article and it reminds me of my disdain toward "mandatory tipping" for groups...It's a ridiculous policy especially since 1) they dictate the rate of the tip and 2) some of the worst service I ever had was when I was in a group.

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local-beat/Time-In-Prison--70426052.html?yhp=1

Edit: youtube embedded

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[Daedalus_IHB]

Not sure what the laws are here, but in the state I bartended in, it was illegal to even attempt to charge a tip. Didn't stop most waiters from doing it, but they could get in trouble if they were reported to the right couple of state agencies.

 

[trrenter_IHB]

The reason they have the mandatory tip is because that one table could essentially make or break a servers night.

Usually they have to start setting the tables aside knowing the party is coming in so they server will have a table empty waiting to push it together with another table. Then groups usually take longer to eat and leave.

It doesn't excuse the poor service when you are in the group. It was my experience that usually the group dictated the service. If you have a couple of high maintenance people your service really starts to go down hill. If you have a low maintenance group you will probably get better service.

From a money making standpoint big groups usually cost servers tip money.

 

[green_cactus_IHB]

If you have a problem with leaving the mandatory tip, you should speak to the manager and tell him what was unacceptable and why. If done in a polite and reasonable manner this can result in comped items and/or some non-monetary compensation (gift certificate, free dessert, free drinks). This also applies to leaving no tip at all - if you have a problem with the service you got, you should address it instead.

 

[IrvineRealtor_IHB]

I raise. (NSFW)

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[Sunshine_IHB]

At the places I worked, the mandatory tip was at the discretion of the server. I only added the mandatory tip for large groups in exceptional circumstances (i.e., pre-teens or teenagers who were the most high maintenance other than drunks). I found that I received the same or better tips if I didn't add the mandatory tip because: (1) people hate mandatory tipping; (2) I typically received 18-20% without adding it, and (3) most people that don't just "double the tax" will calculate the tip after tax, whereas the systems that add the "mandatory" tip generally calculate the tip amount before tax.

 

[almon_IHB]

back on the east coast, tipping is always a percentage of pre-tax amount. here the bills always go off the post-tax amount. is this a cali thing or the restaurant just trying to screw ya?