Quote:
Originally Posted by Moonliner
While it's been quite some time since I worked for tips, I still perfer the merit method. Building a flat rate into the bill kills all incentive to better service. I always made more than my contemporaries becuase I gave a damn (or at least gave that impression) and it showed.
As a customer I like being able to increase or withold tip amounts based on service.
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I dunno - the Italian method is similar (coperto/servizio included in your total) and we've rarely had service in the US like we found in Italy, regardless of whether the establishment was a little bar or a fancy osteria. I think the key is for the employers to pay the servers well, and make it their absolute responsibility to be of good service, or find a new job.
(Or maybe just to be Italian.)
I agree that setting up something standard for bill-paying would be a great idea. This has happened too often. Maybe it's something as simple as always getting a single bill, electing the evening's "accountant" and not letting any party members leave without the accountant's sign-off.