Originally Posted by
QuietLion
I'm certainly not upset with the server when there is autograt added. However, I don't leave anything additional regardless of how good the service is. In my mind management has removed my discretion, and they don't just get to remove the downside. If the server doesn't like that he should encourage management to eliminate autograt.
It used to be rare, but now it is quite commonplace in London for restaurants to add an "optional" 12.5% gratuity onto the bill (this is post-tax since VAT is included in all prices here).
Do also bear in mind that professional waitstaff in the UK have much high base wages than their American counterparts.
Occasionally, I will ask for the "optional" gratuity to be removed if I feel the service hasn't warranted it (i.e., the time that the ice cream dessert was delivered 20 minutes late, half-melted, and the server tried to blame it on me for ordering something non-standard.
).
Like you, I find it inappropriate to add an additional tip after the "optional" gratuity has already been added and have never done so.