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#Post#: 78292--------------------------------------------------
Weird Tipping Situation
By: jpcher Date: January 5, 2023, 8:45 pm
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Went to a comedy club when DD#2 and I flew out to see DD#1 and
her DH. They were meeting up with a bunch of their friends and
requested a table for 15. The CC didn't have tables set up like
that but sat us all at close together four tables, which is
fine.
Waiter came by and asked if we were all together on one tab. I
piped up and said I'd like a separate tab for the four of us
(pointing to my DDs and DD#1DH). The others in the group decided
that was the way to go so we asked for a separate tab per table.
The show was wonderful. I ordered one top-shelf double drink
(which I knew was going to be a bit pricey), DD#2 had two sodas
and DD#1 and her DH had a few beers each. We didn't order any
food at our table, but I saw other tables ordered food.
When the 'bill' came (electronically on a pad) I handed my card
to DD#1DH since he was on the outside of the table closest to
the waiter and told him to add a 20% tip. He handed the pad to
me for my signature, and I was shocked at the total. I whispered
to DD#1 "How much do drinks cost around here?" but I signed and
passed the pad back to the waiter because I didn't keep a tally
in my head and wasn't sure what the total should have been. DD#1
chimed in "Can we please get a receipt?" Sure, no problem.
By this time, the other friends' tables were clearing out, going
to the lobby to chat with the Comedians. While we were waiting
for the receipt DD#1 looked at the menu and totaled out what the
cost should have been (including tip) minus the cost of my drink
which wasn't on the menu. DD#1 said "Wow. Momma. You really like
some expensive stuff!" LOL!
When the receipt came, DD#1 took it and said "You're drink price
really wasn't that bad" then she went down the itemized list,
saw the total then saw the tip. "Woah, that tip is way over
20%." It was more like a 40% tip.
She pointed it out to the waiter who said "Oh. I think the club
adds a standard 20% tip for groups of 10 people or more. Let me
go check on this for you." and he ran away.
At this point I knew my family wanted to go socialize with their
friends, and this was taking up some time. Plus I was tired from
the day of travel and really wanted to shut down for the night.
When waiter came back he said "Yes, that's what happened. They
charged you the tip you gave me plus the standard 20% for a
group of 10. I can get this fixed for you right now, give me a
few minutes."
Me, being tired and not wanting to wait any longer, said "No
worries, keep it. Wishing you a Merry Christmas. You took good
care of us and Thank you for that."
The extra tip was $30something. Not my hill to die on. No more
waiting around, go socialize with friends and have fun.
But then, a couple of days ago, I thought "Wait. Was my table
the only one charged the standard 20% for a group over 10 and
did everyone else in the group tip extra on top of that for
their table?
I know there's nothing we can do about it now, but I'm curious
as to your thoughts. How would you have handled this situation?
#Post#: 78294--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weird Tipping Situation
By: Rain Date: January 6, 2023, 7:24 am
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I'm curious as well if each group was charged the 10+ group 20%
tip.
If they were close friends of mine, I think I would have asked
at that time.
#Post#: 78295--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weird Tipping Situation
By: Wanaca Date: January 6, 2023, 7:45 am
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A long, long time ago, I earned a living as a server.
Since you all came in together and were seated roughly together,
I would have expected an automatic tip to be on the bills. It's
no different than if you had all been seated at the same table
but had 4 separate checks. Yes, each check should have the
automatic tip added to it because the tip is based on the
food/drink sales of the whole group.
Because I would have expected the automatic tip, I would have
definitely checked the bill before adding yet another tip. But
if I didn't look until afterwards, I would have let the extra
tip go and chalked it up to my fault (as a former server) for
not looking. It's always a good practice to look at the bill.
I definitely wouldn't ask others about their tipping extra or
not. That is considered a private matter to many people.
#Post#: 78296--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weird Tipping Situation
By: Jem Date: January 6, 2023, 7:48 am
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It seems like the club was treating your group as four separate
tables (each under 10 people) so I find it odd that they put the
gratuity on in the first place! I think you handled it well to
just count it as a kind holiday gesture to overtip and that is
probably what I would have done also, but I don't like it when
"gratuity" is automatic but that is not made clear to people.
The server had to have known that he was being double tipped and
it kinda rubs me the wrong way that he would take advantage of
that.
I am glad you fun at the show! It's been a while but I used to
enjoy comedy clubs!
#Post#: 78297--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weird Tipping Situation
By: oogyda Date: January 6, 2023, 8:57 am
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This is yet another reminder to us to always review the bill
before we pay it. Which you didn't. And it appears that your
SonIL didn't either since I would assume he would have told you
if there was already a gratuity on the bill.
Edited to add:
I prefer the table kiosks since it gives me time to thoroughly
review the bill. Too many times DH would hand his credit card
to the server when they bring it to the table just to avoid the
wait for them to come back to collect it with the payment.
#Post#: 78298--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weird Tipping Situation
By: Hmmm Date: January 6, 2023, 1:15 pm
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I think what I'm so bothered about is that the waiter wasn't
aware that an auto gratuity had been added when he brought the
tab around. That means he didn't do any type of review of the
bills he was bringing out to validate they were accurate before
handing to the customer.
I also believe waitstaff should clarify that the gratuity has
been added when bringing a check out. I've had them say "The 20%
gratuity has been added but you can add additional if you'd
like" which irks me a bit but at least it communicates one was
included.
#Post#: 78300--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weird Tipping Situation
By: LifeOnPluto Date: January 6, 2023, 10:40 pm
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If I'm reading this correctly, the standard 20% gratuity you
were charged was around $30-something? Which means that your
table (of four people) had to have ordered about $150 worth of
drinks to incur that charge. Was that the case - it sounds like
a lot, but if you were drinking absolute top shelf spirits, I
can see how it may have been plausible. In that situation, it
sounds like your little table was charged the correct gratuity,
and presumably the other tables were too.
If however, your drinks came to less than that, it may well be
the case that the total sum for the whole group came to about
$150, and your little table somehow ended up paying the entire
gratuity for everyone?
As for the etiquette of whether the club should have added the
gratuity in the first place, I think they were in the right to
do so. Even if the bills were being split between the individual
tables, it still sounds like y'all were part of an overall
broader group who were dining/drinking together.
#Post#: 79169--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weird Tipping Situation
By: Morticia Date: April 15, 2023, 10:54 am
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I go to a place where they automatically add a tip to all
tables. The server always circles this item and mentions it so
people know up front. I always add a bit extra, but I would
think it should be the practice that this happens every time an
autograt is added.
#Post#: 79190--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weird Tipping Situation
By: TootsNYC Date: April 18, 2023, 2:56 pm
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we just had a weekend-long family reunion with several
restaurant meals.
Our organizing uncle made a point of clearly pointing out when
the auto-grat was included and when it was not.
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