Couple Arrested for Refusing to Pay Tip

[OceanAnnie]

I have never been in a restaurant where eight people can get dinner with drinks for $73 but I have also never been in a restaurant that doesn't tell you up front that there is a mandatory service charge for larger parties.
It is obvious why this minimum charge would only apply to larger parties, because of the extra work involved.
It is not discrimination if it applies to all parties of six or more and I would guess many of the smaller parties left a larger tip anyway.
I don't know if the restaurateur or the police over reacted because I wasn't there but I disagree strongly with people who agree to do one thing and then don't live up to their end of the bargain.

ford family

The article said "food", not dinner. Maybe it was appetizers. I don't know. My guess was maybe the group shared a bunch of appetizers.

 

[scuba]

Exactly. My expectations really aren't that high. I don't expect witty banter and table conversation. I don't expect to be the apple of my server's eye while I'm in the restaurant. On a busy night, I do expect at minimum a refilled drink and an occasional check-in.

My expectations aren't high either, If she is basing her poor service on having to get her silverware and napkins as well as having to ask fro a refill from the bar, or was she just sitting there expecting to have someone check back with her. I would have asked for a refill, got my own napkin, asked where my food was.....I just have the impression the group was just sitting there not being an advocate for themselves. I know that my not be the patrons responsibility but certainly the alternative of being in handcuff wouldn't be my second choice either

 

[Papa Deuce]

....


As to the story--it really doens't matter why the couple did not tip.

It isn't legally enforceable, they didn't enjoy their experience and did not want to tip. They could be persnickety old fools who thought they should get 5 star service and their expectations were to high. IT doens't matter.

They got arrested for not tipping!

I'm sure that didn't happen to any parties of 5 or less that evening.

Disturbing on so many levels.

Gotta go now to eat at Friendly's.

Will let you know about the service and whether the server earns their tip or not and what percent we leave.

Exactly.

 

[ford family]

I wonder if they tipped on the tax.

I dont' know your sales tax, so I cannot calculate it.

At 6%, that would get you close to the base price.

Tipping on taxes--a big no no.

Maybe for you.
We find it much easier to look at the total bill, add 20% and then round up to the nearest note in our pocket, put down the cash, say to the server, "all done, thanks very much" and walk away.

The only place we don't use cash is at WDW or on a cruise, both of which use a room key, the former usually add 18% for TIW, the latter an automatic 15%.

ford family

 

[EveDallas]

I can't believe this pub is willing to risk bad PR over less than $20. I bet they won't have a problem being "busy" for long.

 

[happygirl]

Why would you complain about not receiving a tip when you are providing lousy service?

I think being busy run your butt off all over the places isn't giving lousy service. If the place is dead and you are being ignored that is different

 

[Papa Deuce]

Maybe for you.
We find it much easier to look at the total bill, add 20% and then round up to the nearest note in our pocket, put down the cash, say to the server, "all done, thanks very much" and walk away.

The only place we don't use cash is at WDW or on a cruise, both of which use a room key, the former usually add 18% for TIW, the latter an automatic 15%.

ford family

I think you misunderstood. LLP ( I think ) means that it is illegal to base a suggested tip from the restaurant's end on the inclusion of taxes.

 

[donaldduck352]

I was thinking the same thing...I hope no real crimes were being commited when the police were out making arrests for not tipping.
I really hope that there is more to the story because whether or not you think the couple should have paid the gratuity, the restaurant calling the police is absolutely ludicrous. If it was SOO busy the manager should have stepped in sooner (I don't believe for a second that they offered to comp some of the meal).

I agree 100% on what you said.To top that what A complete waste of the money it took for the police to evan go there!

 

[happygirl]

I can't believe how many people think a 73$ dollar ticket and the server doesn't deserve a dime.

 

[Stacerita]

I think being busy run your butt off all over the places isn't giving lousy service. If the place is dead and you are being ignored that is different

Bottom line, gratuity is not automatic. Its based on the service. And if you are running your butt all over the place for other tables, and I still don't have what I need, its lousy service for me.

 

[Stacerita]

I can't believe how many people think a 73$ dollar ticket and the server doesn't deserve a dime.

The server doesn't deserve what the serve did earn. A $10 ticket or $100 dollar ticket.....the server still needs to earn the tip.

 

[ford family]

The article said "food", not dinner. Maybe it was appetizers. I don't know. My guess was maybe the group shared a bunch of appetizers.

The news article, if you listen to it, says dinner, specifically chicken fingers and fries.

ford family

 

[happygirl]

I agree 100% on what you said.To top that what A complete waste of the money it took for the police to evan go there!

Which makes me think there is a lot more to this story then what is being said

 

[VillageMama]

Why would you got into a restaurant that is busy and then gripe that they are busy, then complain that it takes a while to get your food?

Because many restuarants can handle a busy night in an efficient manner. They've got enough staff to do so. How am I supposed to tell at a glance that this particular restaurant is woefully unprepared?

And why it is only for larger groups? I'm sure other patrons didn't leave an 18% tip, and noone got arrested.

Sounds like discrimination.

Good point! As a mom of a "big" family, I object! They are giving preferential treatment to small families.

 

[happygirl]

The server doesn't deserve what the serve did earn. A $10 ticket or $100 dollar ticket.....the server still needs to earn the tip.

Once again I will ask what did the server do so bad, not refill the guy drink. It could have been the hostess fault for no silverware. It's not the server fault on ticket times for the food

 

[KandD]

I think being busy run your butt off all over the places isn't giving lousy service. If the place is dead and you are being ignored that is different

I totally get that if it is busy I will not receive the same service as when it is slow BUT I am still paying the same amount so the restaurant (managers, owner, whatever) should ensure that EVERYONE'S experience is what they paid for. If there are not enough servers then don't seat as many people. I know this is not the server's fault but you HAVE to understand from a patron's point of view that you should not have to get your own silverware, continually get up for your own refills, wait an hour for food, etc. If this is actually what happened, I can't believe any patron would be happy with this service.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I was thinking the same thing...I hope no real crimes were being commited when the police were out making arrests for not tipping.
I really hope that there is more to the story because whether or not you think the couple should have paid the gratuity, the restaurant calling the police is absolutely ludicrous. If it was SOO busy the manager should have stepped in sooner (I don't believe for a second that they offered to comp some of the meal).

You know, it is kinda funny they were very busy. But they weren't too busy to call the police about a gratuity! Now they have a long lasting negative press report over this.

 

[scuba]

I can't believe how many people think a 73$ dollar ticket and the server doesn't deserve a dime.

I typically tip minimum, regardless of the service. My family usually make a mess out of a place, I do what I can to clean up after our toddler daughters and the servers still have to reclean tables despite the service........I try not to go back or a different time

 

[happygirl]

I totally get that if it is busy I will not receive the same service as when it is slow BUT I am still paying the same amount so the restaurant (managers, owner, whatever) should ensure that EVERYONE'S experience is what they paid for. If there are not enough servers then don't seat as many people. I know this is not the server's fault but you HAVE to understand from a patron's point of view that you should not have to get your own silverware, continually get up for your own refills, wait an hour for food, etc. If this is actually what happened, I can't believe any patron would be happy with this service.

No, you are right the restaruant needs to make sure that there enough people on the floor that can handle the busy time,but once again that isn't the waitress fault

 

[happygirl]

You know, it is kinda funny they were very busy. But they weren't too busy to call the police about a gratuity! Now they have a long lasting negative press report over this.

I don't think it will be negatice press report