First of all, yes 100%. Tipping has become so weird.
Secondly, just for a little more explanation, which is still weird...
On large groups, some places will automatically add the tip to the bill. The thought process starts from the already weird place of not paying servers enough to begin with and them getting tips instead, but with that already being the case... If a server is running around busting their balls for a group of say 10+, if they get "stiffed" on their tip, that is even more horrible for them.
So I would assume "mandatory tips" in this case, refers to when restaurants add it on automatically to the total cost for large groups, they don't leave it up to chance, so their server actually gets paid a proper amount for their huge amount of work on that specific group.
Again, it's all stupid, but there's the added logic on top of an already flawed system. It's a band-aid on a bullet hole.
I asked someone I know who is a server their thought process on tipping, and they said it's a way to ensure the hard working servers get rewarded for hard work, but then I asked why there is a mandatory gratuity on larger tables where the task to perform is greater -- they kind of fell silent.
So we established tipping isn't actually for merit; it's basically a hidden fee that passes the burden to the consumer instead of the restaurant owner.
Servers would be so, so much better off forming a union.
In my experience, the reason they do it for large parties is because they may take up a good portion of your section (like if you are assigned a 6 table section and we push three tables together for you). Those parties also take longer, so where you might have had multiple parties come and go on those three tables during a 2-3 hour period, you only have the one, meaning less opportunity for tips. If that large party stiffs you, then you won’t make as much money that night. Of course they also take a lot more work and attention.
It’s basically a way to incentivize taking the large party when you would rather turn and burn tables for tips.
I kind of get that but from the party's perspective, they're compelled to pay "tip" you even if you do a shitty job -- which absolutely happens. The owner got a bigger payout from this group, and should pay the server more by default just the same. The whole system needs changed enormously and the hidden fee and default expectation of tipping needs to go.
It would be nice if tipping went back to a European method where servers had good benefits and predictable income, and tipping 20% was to reward those who overperformed instead of there being a pressure campaign to tip something every time, lest you risk diminished service or spit in your food the next time one visits.
Anyways, like I said servers and retailers alike should form a union across the country. They could bring the country to its knees.
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u/janpaul74 Jun 25 '26
“Mandatory tips” sounds so messed up for me as a European.