Cookaholics Bulletin Board

Some of my family went to dinner last night. I was not feeling well, so I didn't go. There was 6 adults and 2 children (10 and 4). I was told this morning, that the server brought the check and didn't mention that the tip had been figured into the bill. My brother who was paying the bill didn't catch it right away until my sister thought the total was incorrect. When I was a server and we worked large parties and the tip was already figured into the bill, we always informed the customer and pointed out the amount on the check.
Do you think the server should point this out or is it up to the customer to look at the bill and see if a tip has been added or not?

Talon,

Yes, it is proper for the server to mention the tip, especially if the party adds another gratuity to the bill.

We had this same thing happen and the restaurant phoned and arranged to credit the overpayment to three credit cards. I thought that was classy.

Tim

Many restaurants disclose on their menu they will automatically add gratuity for parties of six or more. I agree with this policy, but absolutely believe the server needs to disclose this when delivering the bill.

Amy

Brings a whole new meaning to "double-dipping".

Yes, the server should have mentioned it.

You also need to check room service bills, because most of the time a tip is automatically added to the bill, too, and they never tell you that.

I think it's OK if they don't mention it specifically, provided that it's a fairly obvious line-item on the bill as well as a line on the menu. Several ones I know put the automatic gratuity in bold type.

We've actually double-tipped our waiter sometimes when we have a large party paying cash and people throw too much cash in the center of the table (yes, this actually happens in Silicon Valley). Once gave a waitress a $120 tip on a $280 bill rather than try to figure out the change. Made her very happy.