[nasmorn]

That is simply a markup and should be reflected in the price. Euro style tipping is annoying enough but percentages in the US are huge. It is really not an afterthought to the whole transaction. Imagine you bought a car and the dealers profit would be totally optional for you to decide. The situation is frankly ludicrous

[scarface_74]

If they say up front on every menu that the tip is included and the servers/bartenders are up front and you can actually remove it (I guess you can put less on the bottom line), what’s the issue?

Taxes also aren’t included in the menu price.

I can’t imagine any of the servers who don’t like the status quo or that would come out better even if they made $20 an hour.

[gambiting]

>>Taxes also aren’t included in the menu price

That's insane as well. Why aren't they?

>>If they say up front on every menu that the tip is included and the servers/bartenders are up front and you can actually remove it (I guess you can put less on the bottom line), what’s the issue?

Nothing. Some restaurants in London started doing this now, the menu says a service charge of 10% will apply unless you ask to remove it and very few people have any issue with it.

[scarface_74]

Taxes are hardly ever included on ABY prices in the US.

[gambiting]

Ok, same question applies - why? It's not like the restaurant doesn't know what the taxes are.

[scarface_74]

Because if one restaurant or retailer in general added taxes and no one else does, it makes their prices seem higher. Everyone in the US knows that taxes aren’t included.