Unlike most of the jobs paid by salary or commission, restaurant service positions are compensated by tips plus a small salary.  The more up-scaled the establishment, the greater the tips– usually.  And, the busier the place, the more tips for the serving staff. The servers who give unusually good attention to their patrons will typically be given a large tip.  This makes sense on paper, but there are always the exceptions. 

Guarantees don’t exist in the world of waiters, waitresses, bartenders, etc. when it comes to making a living.  Many restaurants have an automatic gratuity charge of 15% for parties of eight or more that is added to the bill.  How much goes to the staff and how much goes to the restaurant is unknown.  As a side note, when there is this standard gratuity charge, patrons have little control over under compensation for poor service.

That being said, there have been several chain restaurants in New York City’s Time Square that have tricked the customer into paying 18% gratuity on all checks.  Not only is this unethical and deceitful, “but these restaurants have jointly conspired to raise prices in a deceptive manner,” said a lawyer who is representing one man who came forward to complain about such unconscionable actions.  

What happened to honesty and integrity Applebee’s, Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesday and Red Lobster?  Shame on you for taking advantage of your customers.  Some of these restaurants were my favorite places to eat, but not anymore.  Payback is a bitch!