Originally Posted by
xooz
I have noticed this in UK and Amsterdam restaurants, where you are even less used to reviewing the bill for service charges. 12-15% included for a party of one has surprised me more than once. When anyone puts a service charge on my bill I NEVER add any. They often miss out as I am normally a nice tipper.
Keep in mind, it is not up to the server's discretion whether or not we WANT to add the gratuity. It is blatant discrimination to choose whether or not you want to add a gratuity to a table. If I see some rich looking businessmen and don't add it, and then I see some elderly people, or people of a different race and I DO add the gratuity, that's discrimination. My restaurant has a policy of always adding the gratuity on 6 or more.
I've had more than one person tell me "Why did you put the gratuity on? You're missing out." And then I tell them, "well, it's restaurant policy, not up to me, and you can of course leave more if you'd like." And then they promptly leave without anything additional. That's almost more insulting than a bad tip. I think I'm gonna start a thread dispelling the common myths of the server. It'll cut down on my stress levels at work if I can reach the masses.
Chris