[Our_Benefactors]

What was $50 as a percentage of your meal? Typically for a party of 10 the 18% gratuity is automatically tacked on to the bill, so there should be no room for discontent from the server. It’s common to see this disclaimer on menus “for a party of 6 or more a gratuity of 18% will be added to your final bill.”

[JohnFen]

> “for a party of 6 or more a gratuity of 18% will be added to your final bill.”

Which, of course, means it's no longer a gratuity, but an additional fee. It irks me when restaurants lie in this way.

[apple4ever]

Agreed and I never tip more if it's automatically added. Tips are meant to communicate good and bad, and if I have no say, then I won't exercise it.

[dragonwriter]

> Tips are meant to communicate good and bad,

No, tips are meant to provide an excuse for lower baseline pay and to allow pay discrimination on what are otherwise protected traits by relying on the fact that tippers fairly consistently discriminate on those traits and anti-discrimination law does not apply to them at all.

[chung8123]

It is also taxed vs tips are not taxed if they are a gratuity.

[JohnFen]

Tips are taxed, in the US, anyway.