Don’t miss my original point. I have no problem with paying for a meal including a service charge. Just don’t try to tell me it is a “gratuity” when it’s not. The business should tell the truth. It is a “service charge” and is included in the overall price of the meal and is how the business pays the server.
It is a “service charge” and is included in the overall price of the meal and is how the business pays the server.
It must remain voluntary.
Exceptional servers do exceptionally well.
Good servers do alright.
Poor servers look for a job more appropriate to their skill set.
The customer wins.
If everyone gets the same “tip” via a service charge on the bill, there’s no added incentive for “exceptional service.” Service will be “acceptable,” in other words somewhere between “ok” and “mediocre.”
The customer suffers and the business suffers.