
It’s a hidden fee similar to Ticketmaster. The whole concept of subminimum wage is unethical. Employees should be paid fair by employers and a tip should be extra for excellent service. As both a tip-based employee and someone who tips, I’d be thrilled to pay 15-20% more for the food if it means employees are paid a fair wage, maybe a bit of cash for amazing service. Also, splitting total tips is a dogshit practice and employers who do that fucking suck
Tipping culture is kinda tricky in Europe. In France and Italy I usually didn’t since a 15% gratuity is almost always included. My main exception was bars and the bartenders would laugh about me being American but also hang around after hours and give free drinks/take me out to clubs 💀