Was it really described as “mandatory tipping”? That’s BS. Even though it is, in effect, service compris, this is a case where semantics matter.
A tip is, by definition, is “a small present of money given directly to someone for performing a service or menial task; gratuity.” A gratuity is further defined as “a gift of money, over and above payment due for service, as to a waiter or bellhop.”
If it is a present, or gift, over and above the actual payment due, then it is not/should not be mandatory. Period.
Many places here in the States, where “service included” is not the societal norm, may add an 18% service charge, but make it clear you can ignore it, or add more if you’d like, or . . . or . . . or . . .
Some restaurants which have embraced the newer “no tipping” policy have actually eliminated the line on their credit cards where one would normally put the tip – versus the places which add a “service charge,” and still have a line where you’d put a tip . . . miss the added service charge, and you end up tipping “twice.”
I don’t mind the service charge. I don’t mind paying a little more for the food when there’s a “no tip” policy, so the employees can make a decent, living wage. But as I said above, “mandatory tipping”? What a crock!
