Tips should be based on the service received. I don't buy into the whole "I don't tip" thing ala Reservoir Dogs, but I've given everything from a 50% tip (for some of the best waiting I've ever received" down to nothing (for screwing up every part of my order, and being slow on top of that). Mandatory tips would give little inventive for waiters or waitresses to give anything better than what is mandatorily expected of them.

This may not even boost their overall paychecks, if the Republicans have their way in making minimum wage not apply to wait staff. You earn minimum wage in tips, your boss owes you nothing. Seems like this is just a way for business owners to make more money.

If it's mandatory, it's not a gratuity.

Cafe Med has the automatic gratuity. You get great service there and I'm sure the regulars don't mind, but I think it causes hard feelings for first-time patrons.  

A waiter chased a customer out and stabbed him because of a lousy tip? So I guess he thought jail was a better option than not getting paid enough?

No, tips should not be manditory, unless it's a big party.

Fifteen percent is my standard tip.  Let me decide if the service was worth more or less.  In Miami, Fla 1980, we were followed out of a restaurant by the waiter after leaving a 20% tip.  He said it wasn't enough because he had to split it with the bus boy, salad and wine stewards.  Gimme a break. 

The Reservoir Dogs restuarant scence is on youtube. Can't put the link here, though, as the dialogue is too perfect...

A very simple solution . . . refuse to patronize those places that require mandatory tipping.  

Having worked many years as a host and waiter, I know those folks rely on tips for their day-to-day survival.  It's no secret that minimum wage isn't enough.  However, mandatory tipping isn't the answer, unless you want lousy service!

Marsh

But if you need a scallops with bleu cheese fix, Cafe Med could install a flaming hoop instead of a front door and I'd be doing my Superman impression...

I would refuse to dine in an establishment that includes the tip (automatically) on my tab. The only time this is acceptable is if the party is 8+ ppl...
I am a very generous tipper, since I previously worked in that field for 10 years, BUT, with that being said, I am also a very PICKY customer, if the service sucks, their tip will suck too !
Len

I do not like the idea of automatic gratuity, now that being said, for an establishment like Cafe Med, I think the automatic gratuity is acceptable, mainly because it is a "mom & pop" shop not a major chain. The owners of Cafe' Med are going to be very selective in choosing the wait staff, where as a place such as Macaroni Grill, which is a national chain, is not as selective, because generally (NOT ALWAYS)  everyone there is mainly there for a paycheck, not to make a successful business to support a family. Therefore there is no pride in what they do, which sadly is becoming more and more the norm in our society.

Automatic gratuity may be okay for a dinner meal, but what about the cheap breakfast with several coffee refills?  Fifteen percent might be just 75 cents.

A friend tells the story of going to a credit union meeting in the islands [nice Board Member perk] and finding out he had been tipping 20% automatically on top of the 15% he was leaving on the table!  Automatic grats need to be well published.

The Cafe Med thing irks me.  Last time I was there, they pulled their wine switch trick (where they don't have the wine you order and offer different more expensive bottle.  When you get the check, you find out the other wine was 20 bucks more), which apparently is common.  Food was fine but the service wasn't great.  From what I understand, they lost a lot of waiters who are good enough to get better tips on their own.

Yeah, I told my mom that it happened and she said it had happened to two friends of hers.  It's a pretty common scam there.  I had assumed that it would be the same price, since they didn't have what I'd asked for.  And funny how the wine is never a cheaper bottle. . .

This concept might work if the restaurant would take disciplinary action or give the consumer a discount/free meal ticket if the service was so poor that an automatically added tip wasn't earned.  Most restaurants make good service a priority, with server's employment being at risk.  If you automatically add gratuity to a tab, you'd better be prepared to give the consumer 120% of what they're being charged for. 

I'm not so sure I agree with you about a national chain not being as selective.  Let me correct myself, they may not be as selective in the hiring process, but I'll tell you that if you have the time and the energy to complain to the "right" person you'll get results.  Most restaurant chains/corporations keep track of individual store complaints, this can/does directly effect the store manager's paycheck, recognition, performance track record, bonuses, and it goes right up the line to the district manager.  Too many complaints and the manager just might be dismissed.  Disciplinary write-ups are the norm for chains which is rarer to see in "mom and pop"  or smaller establishments.

Most people complain about service by not tipping, but that doesn't necessarily go any further than the server who will often just consider you a "cheapskate" and share his/her opinion of you with coworkers.  This lends itself to a server giving you "revenge" service in the future instead of taking it as a hint to give you better service in the future.  It does nothing to make the establishment aware of a problem or give them a chance to correct a problem.

I know...  who has the time to "police", make a scene, or be considered a pain in the rear and who really cares if the establishment gives you a complimentary dessert for your trouble, it just melted in the car on the way home adding insult to injury.   

Having spent a lot of years in that business I'm very much aware of bad service.  If your service was terrible then lowering your tip will indeed make them think you're a cheapskate.  If you want them to get the message..leave a nickle or a quarter ONLY and make a note on your guest check.  But folks, please don't take it our on your server if the food is bad.  Or is it's late, but still hot.  Don't punish the server because of the kitchen staff.

As a former server I appreciated the added on tip (for large parties only) and yes, some left cash also, but for regular tables I think it's a bad idea.  As as customer I want to decided whether or not the server deserves 15-20-25 %..I don't want it assumed that the service will warrant it.  I'm already paying to have my meal delivered to me...a tip is an extra thank you..not a fee.

I used to have people complain that a tiny glass of orange juice cost a buck fifty when they could buy a carton at the store for that amount.   I always WANTED to say "then go buy one, take it home, and pour it yourself."  But I never did.  The cost of your meal includes the food itself, the cook, the server, the busboy, the dishwasher, the building, utilities, taxes, licenses, and, hopefully, a small profit for the owner.  Again hopefully, volume will ensure they get to stay in business a little longer.
You're not just paying for the food, you're paying for the convenience as well.

Hmmmm..I sort of got off the tip topic but it's important to remember that the server may not be the only one responsible for your unhappy dining experience.  As for the wine thing.  Anyone who accepts the bait and switch without voicing their displeaure at the shady practice souldn't complain about it later.  The time to complain is when it happened. And as for not wanting to feel like a cheapskate asking what the substitute bottle costs?  If you got bait and switched in retail you'd ask..why not at a restaurant.  All you'd have to ask is "Is this bottle the same price as the one we ordered."  
Too many people (me included) tend to leave a restaurant unhappy and the owner/manager never knows why you didn't come back.    You can't fix what you're not aware of.

My Dad was fond of saying "J Paul Getty always brown bagged his lunch".  I don't know if he did or not, or if he did it for convenience rather than savings, but it makes a good story to tell kids  (and adults) that being cautious with your money isn't restricted to the ones of us with, shall we say, less income.  Expecting value for your money isn't being a cheapskate.

I've worked in restaurants and that was MY choice. If people want to make more than minimum wage, they should work somewhere else. Depending on tips to survive is not something I wanted to do so I chose a different job. People work on commission all the time and that's THEIR choice. It's about choices here. If servers want more money, ask for a raise. I don't want to be made to pay for lousy service. I'll decide what to give as a tip. Actually, here's their tip: GET A LIFE!

I will agree to mandatory tips when restaurant management gurantees MANDATORY exceptional service from their staff.

In other words, fat freaking chance.

I have no problem leaving a generous tip for great service.  However, I will be damned if I will tip a server who is more interested in their social life and BS-ing with their coworkers than giving good service.  If they aren't getting good tips there's a reason - they aren't giving good service.

Why should people have to leave tips at all? Does the worker who helps you load your car at home depot get tipped?  The guy who stocks the shelves at the grocery store, the pg&e meter reader, the Police officer? I have a tip for all you people who rely on tips. Get an education, and you won't have to worry about being left a tip for doing a job you're already getting paid an hourly wage to do.

Tips should be given when EXCEPTIONAL service is rendered -- they're getting paid to serve you correctly, it's their job requirement, why should we be required to pay them on top of that if they don't deserve it?

I'm just tired of people complaining about their wages when they CHOSE that job. I've never taken a job that I didn't know my pay up front. I agree with anon about getting an education. But to all of those who don't have a "college" education, there is still hope. There are tons of good paying jobs and you don't need a degree.

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I think tipping has gotten way out of control. Seems like everyone expects a tip. I over heard a few hair dressers talking about a woman who did not tip them after spending $120.00 to have her hair done. They were saying they were not going to set appointments with her because she doesn't tip. Now in my opinion that is ridiculous.