Reply #19: As a former restaurant worker, I always felt that the [View All]

[Cleita]

gratuity should be added to the bill as a percentage like today's standard of 15%. It makes sense because the servers who work for minimum wage must make their money on their tips. Also, they must claim their tips on taxes and they are not honest, so there is no verifiable record there for the bookkeeper (me). Also, the kitchen staff and busboys often get stiffed and they are very much part of the whole system and they too for the most part make minimum wage.

A gratuity added system would help the restaurant owner too. If you paid your workers more than minimum wage, like a regular wage without gratuities, it would make many restaurants go out of business. Since restaurants rely on the public patronizing them, having a staff standing around scratching their asses on a slow day would be devastating. So a gratuity added on the bill would reward the workers for actual work done. Minimum wages reward the worker for showing up and being there.

I know many vehemently disagree with me that a gratuity is to insure promptness or TIP, however, I think extra special service could be tipped in addition. The gratuity itself should be re-labeled as a service charge