Gratuity on the bill

[jhn2007]

Today I decide to go to Olive Garden for lunch today bymyself. I ate and the food and service was great. I didn’t have any complaints,but at the end of my meal I was estimating the bill in my head so I can knowwhat kind of tip I should give. When I order food from anywhere and it involvesa tip I usually give about 18% because that’s what I heard the new rate was.Anyway I get bill and look at it. It said that there’s a gratuity of 15%. I amthinking how is there a gratuity when I’m here by myself and its almost 2pm? Iknow some places have that thing more than 4-8 people or after 8pm they includethe tip with bill. I just want to know what the deal is with that. Is it justOlive Garden that does this? Or did the waiter think I wasn’t going to tip him? If anyone can shed some light on itplease do?

 

[prime suspects 36]

I have never heard of that. I do know around here a lot of places have half off student days and automatically add 15% before the half off is taken off no matter how many people you have.

when I am by myself I usually leave around 30% so they would of played themselves for that. You should of asked why tho

 

[mangudai954]

Ate at this place on South Beach that did that. Haven't seen it anywhere else.

 

[kickhead23]

It was probably the waiters decision based on the fact that people eating solo are terrible tippers (I serve tables, so I know.) Although you had the intentions of giving him more than he charged for gratuity, most don't so It's a good gamble on his part.

 

[ripyzyz]

So wait...gratuity if solo or if in a group.....?

 

[luong1209]

Unless the service is superb, waiters should be content with 10% imo.

 

[djuzi05]

I've seen a lot of restaurants do that around here (Houston). I don't really mind since its usually about 15%. Unless the service is complete trash, that's the minimum I give.

 

[higherground]

In before Reservoir Dogs tipping scenario.

 

[jhn2007]

Originally Posted by KickHead23

It was probably the waiters decision based on the fact that people eating solo are terrible tippers (I serve tables, so I know.) Although you had the intentions of giving him more than he charged for gratuity, most don't so It's a good gamble on his part.

I fully understand that but that little gesture kind of spoiled the experience for me. Its the whole assumption thing that really bothered me.

So wait...gratuity if solo or if in a group.....?
I thought the same thing.

 

[doublejs07]

Gratuity when eating by yourself?

Never heard of that....even if you were gonna give more, I'd just stick to whatever the gratuity was on the bill. That's gotta be on the waiter and not the restaurant, right? Seems like he might be screwing himself out of more $.....dumb on his part.

 

[Master Zik]

That's why I don't tip and with new nonsense like this I'd ask for my food to go. Treat it like a fast food joint.

 

[melofan15]

I've been seeing it a lot more in the South FL area but I usually eat with a group of friends so idk

 

[mr jordan04]

damn, gratutity for being solo? what a joke

 

[Thats My Word]

This thread again.

 

[elijahbrohammed]

I didn't even know that restaurants did gratuity before 8 PM.

That was probably the waiter's decision. I remember getting into a debate with someone a while back about. They can choose whoever they want to put the gratuity on whenever they want.

 

[keepzdasneakz]

Originally Posted by Luong1209

Unless the service is superb, waiters should be content with 10% imo.

That's how the chinese way of tipping goes....

 

[yuras718]

Originally Posted by Mr Jordan04

damn, gratutity for being solo? what a joke

How is that a joke?  Whether is 1 person or 10 people, the waiter/waitress is still servicing you.  If you're going to be too cheap to throw down a tip, take your food to go.

 

[trancebboy]

From Wikipedia
"by definition a tip is never legally required, and its amount is at the discretion of the patron being served"

I have heard from a few people that gratuity is completely optional.
Gratuity for being solo is definitely a joke.
A large group requires more attention and gratuity is justifiable sometimes

From personal experience, many waiters and waitresses take advantage of the fact that many people think gratuity is mandatory.
They give you crappy service and still end up with an extra tip because many patrons are blind to the whole tipping thing.

 

[optimusprimeaphia]

I'll admit I have a super guilty conscience about NOT tipping... All that money adds up sometimes...

 

[toliveanddieinnj]

Originally Posted by Luong1209

Unless the service is superb, waiters should be content with 10% imo.

10% is pretty weak. I waited tables for 4 1/2 yrs, just so you are aware, as a waiter, here in NJ at least you make $2.15 an hour and the rest is from tips. If a waiter is garbage I tip as such, but if they are doing their job, getting my refills before I ask, food comes out hot, I take care of them. Just food for thought.

 

[donttalkitlivit]

He prolly got over on you.

 

[thehealthinspector]

Originally Posted by YuraS718

Originally Posted by Mr Jordan04

damn, gratutity for being solo? what a joke

How is that a joke?  Whether is 1 person or 10 people, the waiter/waitress is still servicing you.  If you're going to be too cheap to throw down a tip, take your food to go.

im with mr jordan

its that same kind of logic of yours that would allow a group of people to leave the same tip amount as a single person (monetary wise, NOT percentage), theyre still just servicing right?  its not like they ask everyone in the party individually how everything is going or like they make an individual trip back and forth to the kitchen for each person that asks for something

its not the amount as far as im concerned, its the requirement, its something that only makes sense for parties to me

 

[mr jordan04]

I'm all for gratuities of parties of like 8+. From experience when people go in big groups you always have those 1-2 people that always give the EXACT amount that their meal was and forget to even add tax and tip. That's why I ALWAYS prefer to get my own check.

 

[fatal lightning]

Originally Posted by TheHealthInspector

Originally Posted by YuraS718

Originally Posted by Mr Jordan04

damn, gratutity for being solo? what a joke

How is that a joke?  Whether is 1 person or 10 people, the waiter/waitress is still servicing you.  If you're going to be too cheap to throw down a tip, take your food to go.

im with mr jordan

its that same kind of logic of yours that would allow a group of people to leave the same tip amount as a single person (monetary wise, NOT percentage), theyre still just servicing right?  its not like they ask everyone in the party individually how everything is going or like they make an individual trip back in forth to the kitchen for each person that asks for something

its not the amount as far as im concerned, its the requirement, its something that only makes sense for parties to me

I agree with YuraS, cause no matter if you are by yourself or with 10 people,. the waitress/waiter is still serving you and they need to get paid too, cause if they get paid 2 dollars an hour and they depend on their tips, they should get money for the work they do, just as much as anyone else. i hate it when people are cheap, knowing they are supposed to tip

 

[jhn2007]

I agree with YuraS, cause no matter if you are by yourself or with 10 people,. the waitress/waiter is still serving you and they need to get paid too, cause if they get paid 2 dollars an hour and they depend on their tips, they should get money for the work they do, just as much as anyone else. i hate it when people are cheap, knowing they are supposed to tip


I know your speaking generally. But this is why I give 18% which I was going to give him up until that point. Now if were basing it on service why don't delivery people do the same? I feel they do a little bit more since they are bring the food to your door step and some times braving the elements.

He prolly got over on you.

I am not going to lie he did. I am slowly coping with this fact. But next time i'll know