Originally Posted by
moonlady
I am really fascinated by your perspective, Chris. So you're saying that waiters/waitresses would be incapable of providing good service when guaranteed a 20% tip that's built into the pricing? So then you agree that automatically adding mandatory tips for parties of 6 or more at your restaurant should be eliminated? And that everyone else in the world who has a job that does not includes tips can be excused for turning in a crappy performance?
I have great empathy for waiters/waitresses because it can be a really hard job and because without tips most of them do not make a decent wage. But if you were to eliminate the whole notion of tipping and pay them a real wage commensurate with the skill level and training required for the job, then I think it's only reasonable to expect nothing less than a professional, enthusiastic performance each and every time. Anything else is just a version of "entitlement" thinking, which I'm afraid has crept into much of your reasoning on this thread.
I've heard this argument from servers many times in various places where the tipping debate comes up. The suggestion that an inclusive service charge would decrease service seems ludicrous when you consider that the best service most people I know have received is at restaurants in countries where there is a service charge. These places where a "tip" is considered rounding up the bill or adding 10% for great service and people seem surprised and appreciative for the extra amount, or in some places run after you and try to return it!
