20%? Highway robbery, if you ask me.
An other thing: waiters and waitress get taxed on an assumed 8% tip (at least that what it was when I was a waitress). So, when they get stiffed by customers, they actually have to pay tax on a tip they never received. But, if they are tipped more than 8%, they get to keep the difference tax free. Are they getting taxed on the additional 12%? If so, that is stupid, stupid, stupid.
"20%? Highway robbery, if you ask me."
20% is not robbery in Manhattan, particularly for an upscale eatery. I waited tables many years ago and was only paid in tips. There are certain cultures and ethnicities that don't understand the concept of tipping. I never liked giving good service and getting nothing in return. I agree with an earlier poster, however, who said that then you can't reflect your feelings about bad service. I prefer controlling my own tipping so that, if I don't like the service, I may leave a dime or a quarter. This way the waiter will know that I am dissatisfied. If he complains, I'll just simply explain. If the 20% is mentioned in the menu, then you can simply choose not to eat at the restaurant or pay. Nothing wrong with that.
Then you have never had service at this level.