Originally Posted by Igor718

Here is something you should know about restaurants and their 20% gratuity that they so nicely add to the bill without even asking.

Most people, tourists especially do NOT question this 20% charge. Like fools they simply pay it.

Here is how to avoid being a schmuck (if I spelled it right)

My Story #1:
So we (2 couples) sitting in a nice NYC restaurant. After a few hours there with nice service, we get our bill .... it's $576. Now .... the food is actually $480 but they added 20% "service" and that's an extra $96.

Now .... I have no problem of tipping 15% and sometimes 20% on a smaller bill, BUT $100 tip??? for 4 people? Nope. Not going to happen.

So, I nicely called the waiter and asked for the 20% to be taken off the bill. He took it back and gave us a new bill of $480. We felt that $50 tip is more than enough.

P.S. I believe that tip should NOT depend on how much you spend. It just doesn't make sense.