Originally Posted by
Reindeerflame
Tipping is still voluntary.
It's not the customer's obligation to take a course in restaurant management before seeking to get something to eat, so if there are complicated rules, those in the business may have to deal with the situation of occasional non-tippers. Otherwise, they need to adopt another business model or seek other employment, like a government position.
In the U.S., tipping is only voluntary to those of who think it's OK for someone to make $2.13 per hour. The U.S. wage system makes wait staff rely on tips for most of their income. In many other countries, that isn't the case, but the wait staff's salaries are built into the restaurant's prices. Like it or not, that's our system, and almost every adult who's been in this country for a little while knows and accepts it. I realize waiters could take other jobs, but personally, I like eating out, waiters are necessary to a viable restaurant, and a good waiter is a part of a good dining experience, so his services are worth well more than $2.13 an hour to me (considering fast-food workers, who make no difference in the amount of satisfaction I get from the dining experience in their establishments, probably make 3x-4x that).
And before you ask, no, I've never been a waiter. In fact, I've never worked in the food service industry in any capacity, something for which I am eternally grateful.
Originally Posted by
IcHot
I'm a good tipper, but I think it is a horrible custom. I also think it is an anachronism that a restaurant of that price range doesn't take CC. It makes me think they're probably crooked in their accounting and hiring practices.
Without knowing any details about the type, location, etc. of the restaurant it's hard to really say how reasonable the OP's failure to ask about payment methods is. In NY, SF, LA I'd expect him/her to have known to ask - it would be common even for a place which costs $30/person (which, in those cities, could be merely an average restaurant) to not take cards. In a different context and location, it could have been very surprising and I would fault him/her less for not having asked/known/suspected.
As far as the restaurant's business practices - maybe, maybe not - I suspect many of my favorites (including some which take credit cards) are no better, but hey, the food is good.