she signed it with 'Bella'

Short for Belliam, meaning Beautiful William.

If you’re reading this

An unnecessary beginning to lots of letters and work “if you received this” emails. When you’re reading those words, it’s no longer “if”. Maybe say “Since you’re reading this” or just skip it altogether since they’re obviously reading it.

it used to be 10% minimum expected for regular service. 15 if generous or special, 20 if you had something outstanding.

I say this all the time and some people don’t get it. And they want 20% minimum even for lackluster (or bad) service.

We ate at Outback Friday and our service was well below average. It killed me to give 10% because I wanted to give zero, especially since CA servers are paid better than average in the country.

And you can bet (if you don’t work at a non-profit) that your company raised their prices more than 2%.

The government takes a huge % of my check and I’m hoping they’re using some of it to help disadvantaged people. In reality though, it’s clear they’re mismanaging our taxes. We definitely need to divert from criminalizing drug use to drug rehab.

Relevant Third Rock From The Sun:

https://youtu.be/TVD5wvJ1ru4

The system isn’t going to change by us doing nothing different. We can’t wait around for businesses to “do the right thing”. This mess is where 180 years of tipping got us. If we could all agree together to stop this crap, it would suck for servers for a few months while the system corrects itself. But eventually, possibly by law, food employers will have to pay servers for their work, like everyone else does.

Where did I say those places don’t exist?

Never heard of this. Thanks for the link.

Sorry, that isn’t “mildly” infuriating.

you sign up for so I don't feel bad

Not everyone “chooses” an HOA property. Sometimes you have to buy in the market and location that fits your budget and reasonable commute.

Yep, any time there is a forced tip, draw an arrow line from the blank tip to the forced one.

I hate the term “mandatory tip”. That’s an oxymoron.

even McDonald's does if you ask before paying

Exactly. If you want a water or extra sauces, be sure to ask after paying and receiving the food. At that point they just want to move the line along and are likely to just hand you the water or sauces rather than waste time initiating a new transaction.

lol, done toying with a dumb person. Bye.

Is “service” a menu item that you are required to pay? No. If they can’t call the cops for you not paying for it, then it’s not “stealing” and therefore not “freeloading”.

You seem to have conveniently ignored the question. I didn’t ask if we should tip service staff. I do tip for good service. I asked how is someone who pays for their food a freeloader. How can you use the term “freeloader” for someone who literally paid for the product? You don’t seem to know what that term means. A freeloader would be someone who didn’t pay for their meal.

A whole world of information in your hands and you ignore it.

Learn

You should definitely give that a try.

I honestly feel like restaurant owners are on here defending tips so they can pay less.

I don’t think they were saying they don’t. Seems they were just clarifying it was per pay period, not per shift.

That sounds like a lot of skilled work. I wish employers paid their staff appropriately for that instead of guilting customers into it.

How is someone who pays full price for a meal, and opting out of the OPTIONAL tip, a freeloader?

Before you strain yourself in answering, keep in mind a freeloader by definition takes without giving ANYTHING in return. I’m curious to see how you’re still going to twist “paying for the meal” into freeloading.

they refill your drinks

I honestly would rather I fill my own drink so I don’t have to wait and I can get the ice ratio correct. Literally just put a fountain drink station out there and stop asking me to pay for a service I’d rather do myself. Then if other patrons would rather the server fill their drink, they can ask for that, and tip more.

I do like having a server though so I can ask about menu items and substitutions, to interface with the cook if something’s wrong, and to get extra sauces or whatever during the meal. I tip well if those things are handled well’ but I’d rather employers set menu prices appropriate to pay their staff fairly.