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Included Gratuity: is this a thing in Miami?

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johnjohn320

johnjohn320

Diamond Member
Jan 9, 2001
7,572
2
76
Been in and around Miami for the week. Every restaurant and hotel we've been to has had "included gratuity" of 15 or 18% on thr bill, for just two of us. I generally tip that much anyway so it's not like it's a problem, but I've never seen it automatically included so consistently in other parts of the country.
 
M

MustISO

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,927
12
81
I've seen something similar in Washington where they add gratuity if the bill is over a certain amount. Won't be surprised if this becomes a more common practice in a few years.
 
UglyCasanova

UglyCasanova

Lifer
Mar 25, 2001
19,275
1,361
126
Usually when they add gratuity automatically it is for parties of 5 or 6+. I've never seen it added for just 2 people, but sounds good to me. I HATE the tipping system (and this is coming from a guy who lived off of them as a waiter for about 8 years) and taking that out of the equation for me to figure out is great.
 
LTC8K6

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,576
126
Always for a larger group here. Never seen it otherwise. Wouldn't pay it if it were sprung on me.
 
AznAnarchy99

AznAnarchy99

Lifer
Dec 6, 2004
14,695
117
106
I loved it in Europe where I didnt have to tip and the tax was already in the price. Made splitting bills and paying much easier.
 
PricklyPete

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
Just in the tourist areas. Lots of foreigners travel to the area and are not accustomed to tipping.

@rossman... Odd that Coconuts did that to you... Must be a new practice. I have eaten there a dozen or so times and never had the tip added. Of course it is right in tourist central.
 
P

PokerGuy

Lifer
Jul 2, 2005
13,650
201
101
If they include it as a mandatory charge then it's really not a gratuity, and they should just build it into the price of the meals/drinks like they do in europe. Either you want tips as a "thanks" for great service, or you make it mandatory service charge, but making it a mandatory "gratuity" is stupid.
 
lupi

lupi

Lifer
Apr 8, 2001
32,539
260
126
They do it cause they get a lot of european traffic and in europe they don't have the BS notion of using tips as part of the salary.
 
U

unokitty

Diamond Member
Jan 5, 2012
3,346
1
0
In Florida, separating tourists from their money is a tradition.

Miami is in the process of evolving from a tourist economy to an economy based on being the regional financial center for Latin America.

For example, Sawgrass Mills Shopping center is the only place I've been in the US where they have currency booths where you can exchange different currencies while you shop. Many of the hotels have holiday specials where you come to the US to do your Christmas shopping. And then, the hotel sends your packages back home for free.

Its a bit different than any other place I've ever lived. But it still has its attractive attributes.

Hope you enjoyed your visit.

Uno
 
S

s0me0nesmind1

Lifer
Nov 8, 2012
20,842
4,785
146
johnjohn320 said:
Been in and around Miami for the week. Every restaurant and hotel we've been to has had "included gratuity" of 15 or 18% on thr bill, for just two of us. I generally tip that much anyway so it's not like it's a problem, but I've never seen it automatically included so consistently in other parts of the country.
Click to expand...

When a place puts automatic gratuity for me it's awesome. Because apparently they know how their services were performed better than me (the person they were serving), so apparently my opinion isn't necessary. Therefore, any additional tip isn't warranted since APPARENTLY they know more than I do about their performance :rolleyes:

I'm just like you, 15% is the least I do, often 20% - but this mandatory tip bullshit makes me barf. If you auto tip, go fuck yourself because that additional tip line will ALWAYS remain $0.

edit: Also, a lot of places are VERY deceiving with their automatic tip - often times the final check will come and will have the auto tip in the total, with another tip line (as if there was no automatic tip and you are doing it for the first time). VERY deceiving, especially for people who don't read receipts in full, and people with just a few drinks in them.
 
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shortylickens

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,081
136
Whenever I see mandatory tipping I never give more, and I also order less. Just water, small entree, no appetizer or dessert.

Vote with your dollars people.
 
S

s0me0nesmind1

Lifer
Nov 8, 2012
20,842
4,785
146
shortylickens said:
Whenever I see mandatory tipping I never give more, and I also order less. Just water, small entree, no appetizer or dessert.

Vote with your dollars people.
Click to expand...

In all honesty, if the service was bad enough to the point where a tip wasn't warranted I would be more than willing to a chargeback on the whole thing. Gratuity is for service. If I did not receive adequate service, you do not receive gratuity.
 
J

jaedaliu

Platinum Member
Feb 25, 2005
2,670
1
81
unokitty said:
In Florida, separating tourists from their money is a tradition.

Miami is in the process of evolving from a tourist economy to an economy based on being the regional financial center for Latin America.

For example, Sawgrass Mills Shopping center is the only place I've been in the US where they have currency booths where you can exchange different currencies while you shop. Many of the hotels have holiday specials where you come to the US to do your Christmas shopping. And then, the hotel sends your packages back home for free.

Its a bit different than any other place I've ever lived. But it still has its attractive attributes.

Hope you enjoyed your visit.

Uno
Click to expand...

I've been to plenty of malls that have currency exchange booths on both coasts. I've actually gone to a couple of the places to exchange my leftover foreign currency for USD.
 
V

Vdubchaos

Lifer
Nov 11, 2009
10,408
10
0
I usually tip very well 20-25% (assuming service is good of course) but if it's expected....it gets on my nerves and I end up not tipping AT ALL.
 
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