Gratuity: something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service; especially tip.
This is how Webster dictionary defines the word gratuity. And this is the most common sense meaning of a tip or a gratuity. It has to be volunary. Now I agree that there are gratuity etiquette. You normally give 15% or more as a tip in restaurant or any such service that you receive. But New York city has a way with twisting definitions and meanings.
I went to The Olive Garden restaurant at Times Square in midtown Manhattan a couple of days ago with a friend who was visiting US for the first time. Olive Garden is famous for its overly courteous (read nosy and interfering) waiters and high end (read unnecessarily expensive) dining experience. But what got me the most this time was the bill we got at the end. The restaurant had already added 15% mandatory 'gratuity' to the total. And if this was not enough to piss of customers, there was an additional blank field for 'Extra gratuity' !! My friend was taken aback by these crazy customs of the NY city. And there was just one thing I could say to him. 'Welcome to The City, my friend'.
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6 comments:
New York is Crazy (NYC) :P !
In California, it's a common trend to add 15% tip to your bill if you are six or more people ..
When we were billed for that, we were shocked too .. But cant help it ..
"Welcome to the US of A"
@Soham, 15% for 6 or more is a common rule across US. However, we were only two! That's what got me.
@Niki, you can't escape ;)
I actually have been to that particular Olive Garden you are talking about.. isn't that the one in Times*Times? I guess, adding the 15% already in helps people with weak math skills, perhaps? There was an episode on "curb your enthusiasm" this season where Larry David takes a stance on it.. and refuses to give additional tip, on top of the 15%. Hilarious!
@Subhash, I too stepped into the shoes of Larry David and didn't give additional tip!
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