[Joe Faux]

A few years ago we went to Planet Hollywood with a group of friends (6). The food and service were fine and when the bill arrived, a 18% auto-gratuity was applied. In addition, a blank tip line rested just above the final total line. I drew a line through the blank line, believing it already totaled, and signed the bill. The waitress saw the blank tip line and blew her stack. The manger came to the table and asked if anything was wrong and why I was failing to leave the waitress a tip. I explained that I believed the auto-gratuity covered my gratitude as tip. He stated the 18% was for the restaurant and the secondary tip was for the waitress. The bill before the auto-gratuity was over $120.

I was dumbfounded.

I understand that people in the service industry are paid terribly at times, but we now consider tipping our responsibility. It's no longer considered a gift but an obligation to subsidize the wage shortcomings of the restaurant owners.

I tip when its earned as a personal gift of gratitude... not because I should cover the restaurant's poor salary plan.