Service charge for tables of 8

[flyrr100]

The 6 person service charge is more in the tourist areas of Orlando because...... and please dont all jump dowm my throat..... Brits are bad tippers.
The norm for tipping is 15%. 20% if you had good service. It's tuff on the servers when a table of 6 doesnt leave a tip, or leaves just a few $$. So more and more places are starting to add a service charge. Thats how servers here earn their money.

[SDJ]

What amazes me is that in our restaurant in UK, when the Americans visit, despite getting excellent service, they rarely leave a tip and only drink water!!! Our staff are not reliant on tips at all, but obviously appreciate it when most Brits do tip, generally around 10%.

Sandra

[andy_d]

Does the full tip go to the servers though in the US? I get a bit suspicious when the service is added onto the bill automatically and wonder if the full tip is passed on to the staff.

[florida4sun]

Yep. They split it among the staff there is usually a strict share out sequence. what many do not realise is taht they are taxed gross. Thats is they will pay a set amount of tax each week and they have a bad week they can end up owing money. I for one would not tip poor service but I often used to see good service go without being tipped after doing a good job.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andy_d
Does the full tip go to the servers though in the US? I get a bit suspicious when the service is added onto the bill automatically and wonder if the full tip is passed on to the staff.
[/quote]

[andy_d]

I suppose it balances out! A meal out is a lot cheaper in the US which is partly because the staff are paid such low wages. When you add back the tip of around 20% its still a lot cheaper than in the UK.

[Jill]

We went to a restaurant in London on Tuesday and were rather surprised to find no matter the size of the party (and there were only 3 of us) there was a cover charge per head plus a service charge. Needless to say they did not get an additional tip and we would have tipped more than was asked for but to include both a cover and service charge we felt was 'out of order'.

[atush]

They add it because large parties are quite often made up by separate parties ie not a family group. Like co workers students etc. so, they often divi up the bill. and some don't pay their share much less a tip. So, the server, who's time/area are taken up disproportionatly don't get their due as tables for 8 are 2 tables for 4 or 4 tables for two joined up. And the IRS bases tax on expected tips/shift and they could end up with more tax than income if they are stiffed by a table or 2 of 8.

[SDJ]

The US waiting staff automatically get 8% deducted for tax from their wages. Every server has a unique code to press into the till of what their tables bills are. They are taxed 8% whether they get a tip or not.

Sandra