Yet another thread about US tipping from a confused European
Aug 10, 2013, 3:42 am
#46
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Scotland - ABZ
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There would not be such a problem, for foreigners at least, if these charges were clear on the menu displayed out front. I don't really care what they call them, I just want to know what I can afford. In other words, I want to look at the menu and see what the total cost will be. Keep the surprises for the food.
I don't visit the USA that often these days, so it generally takes me a few days there to get into the mental arithmetic required to interpret menus.
As I've said before, I find that generally you get good value in USA restaurants, even taking all the hidden (hidden upfront that is) tips and taxes into account. But it would probably reduce the angst in touristy areas if the pricing was more explicit.
I don't visit the USA that often these days, so it generally takes me a few days there to get into the mental arithmetic required to interpret menus.
As I've said before, I find that generally you get good value in USA restaurants, even taking all the hidden (hidden upfront that is) tips and taxes into account. But it would probably reduce the angst in touristy areas if the pricing was more explicit.
Aug 10, 2013, 12:12 pm
#48
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: HEL
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On my last trip to the US (Orlando), I also got to know to not accept that restaurant waiters would automatically put a tip when paying with a credit card. After having signed I noticed that the waitress had put an almost 25% tip. My fault of course to have accepted this.
Aug 10, 2013, 12:28 pm
#49
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On my last trip to the US (Orlando), I also got to know to not accept that restaurant waiters would automatically put a tip when paying with a credit card. After having signed I noticed that the waitress had put an almost 25% tip. My fault of course to have accepted this.
Aug 10, 2013, 4:22 pm
#51
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,813
On my last trip to the US (Orlando), I also got to know to not accept that restaurant waiters would automatically put a tip when paying with a credit card. After having signed I noticed that the waitress had put an almost 25% tip. My fault of course to have accepted this.
I don't know FL law, but it wouldn't surprise me if this is illegal, and just something they try with foreign guests.
Aug 11, 2013, 4:13 am
#52
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: HEL
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It was visible that we were foreigners. We had been to a couple of other restaurants the previous nights where the tip was always left to our discretion and I tip 15-18%. That particular night I was perhaps tired and accepted the offer of the waitress to "automatically" add the tips. The restaurant was a well known crab specialty chain.
Aug 11, 2013, 6:22 am
#54
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: HEL
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Yes, they offered to add the tip as I show my DC card and said I would be paying with it. I could have of course said I will calculate it myself or that I have cash and will be paying the tip in cash. No other place offered to add the tip automatically during the rest of our vacation and I won't be accepting that anymore.
Aug 11, 2013, 6:31 am
#55
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Scotland - ABZ
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I'd just ask, "fine, how much are you going to add?"
If they said, "25%" , I'd say, "No, make it 16.472%"
No point making it too easy for them.
But I probably would've got tricked the first time, same as you did.
If they said, "25%" , I'd say, "No, make it 16.472%"
No point making it too easy for them.
But I probably would've got tricked the first time, same as you did.
Aug 11, 2013, 9:08 pm
#56
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On my last trip to the US (Orlando), I also got to know to not accept that restaurant waiters would automatically put a tip when paying with a credit card. After having signed I noticed that the waitress had put an almost 25% tip. My fault of course to have accepted this.
If I see this, I would do this.
Refuse to sign
Ask for manager to void transaction or do so myself
Enter original amount with no tip.
If not possible, cross out tip amount and rewrite total.
If all in one amount, insert breakdown on CC slip
File chargeback if necessary.
If you try to screw me, I WILL screw you.