Tipping dilemma???

[bellybulldog]

We recently had dinner at a restaurant that included 12% service charge on the bill in lieu of the servers salary. How much more tip would be appropriate here??? I have never run into this situation before and was completely baffled. {confused}

[jamesglewisf]

The appropriate tip anytime is 15-20%, so I would probably have added 3-8% depending upon the service.

[Grimey]

Did it actually say that it was in lieu of the server's salary?

[bellybulldog]

It definately said "in lieu of salary." And this was an upscale restaurant, too.

[Alec]

That is odd. I guess it makes it easier. It's strange that it was less than 15%. I guess that is so you can recognize good service by leaving more.

[Grimey]

Do you think they did better getting an automatic 12% than leaving it up to people to choose the tips? It is rare that I will tip less than 15%.

[bellybulldog]

No -- I think they said 12% goes to pay the waiters salary and they expected you to add a tip to that amount.
My question is "how much" should you be expected to add when the service is very good?
We ended up tipping 15% above and beyond the 12% "salary."
It must have been the wine...

[Grimey]

I don't think you need to go beyond a total of 15-20%. So that would mean adding 3-8%. Of course, you could add nothing. I suspect that they make more with a base of 12 then waiters do at restaurants that don't automatically include it, but I could be wrong.

If it said in lieu of salary, then I'll be that your particular waiter got the 12% off of your check. I don't think they pool it all together to pay salaries.