Should you be arrested for refusing to pay a tip?

Question News & Politics

Should you be arrested for refusing to pay a tip?

by Compmend Posted November 20, 2009 00:33:06

62 answers
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+11 raves

A Pennsylvania couple was arrested for their refusal to pay an $18 tip after they said that service was poor.

pennsylvania couple arrested refusing pay 18 gratuity service poor arrested

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+9 Eddie ~IMBIT November 20, 2009 00:37:58

Answered: I think that the police where crazy to have arrested this couple....
That's just stupid! A tip should be voluntary.
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+2
luigi1-... to ellomotto November 21, 2009 17:54:03

i'd like to see a case like this hold up in a court of law. then again, knowing the aclu.
+1
&Alicia& November 21, 2009 02:45:44

Answered: I think that the police where crazy to have arrested this couple....
It is called greed and it is going to only get worse.
+2
oh my science November 21, 2009 02:24:06

Answered: I think that the police where crazy to have arrested this couple....
hahahahahah wtf? tips are meant to be a voluntary thing ffs, whoever thinks they are owed and not earnt is clearly not thinking right
+1
The chief to oh my s... November 22, 2009 23:46:41

Sad to say some people actually think they are owed and it is becoming more common place for waiters/waitresses to think it is their right to get a tip.
+2
NarcolepticGoat November 20, 2009 23:42:51

Answered: I think that the police where crazy to have arrested this couple....
Arresting a couple for not tipping is just wrong. Automatically adding 18% gratuity is wrong too. 15 maybe, for large tables. Serving four tables of two is much easier than serving one table of eight. But 18%? Calling the cops? Wrong.
+3
AMANDAtheAWESOMEone November 20, 2009 21:06:28

Answered: Other....
I think it is pretty sad when a restaurant has to have people tip them.

Tips should only be given by choice.
+1
GLaDOS to AMANDAt... November 20, 2009 22:00:37

That would be nice if more people actually did it.
+1
AMANDAt... to GLaDOS November 23, 2009 04:22:55

We tip people. LOL.
Some people are so greedy they just don't know how to be nice.

But then again, some people might not deserve it and others do.

Even the ones who mess up every now and then should get a tip for trying so hard... unless they didn't lol.

That reminds me of a time when my uncles girlfriend ordered a pizza and gave me the money to pay for it when the guy shows up. I felt so bad because I didn't have the money and she didn't even consider a tip! I FELT SO TERRIBLE!!!! I still feel horrible about ti and it really upsets me.
+1
GLaDOS to AMANDAt... November 23, 2009 04:29:34

And there are people who don't even treat the servers or delivery guys like human beings.

I had always heard that you can tell the quality of a person by the way they treat "the help," so to speak.
+1
AMANDAt... to GLaDOS November 23, 2009 04:53:10

yes I know what you mean!

That's like in high school I always said thank you to the lunch ladies and gave them Christmas cards during Christmas. Even if they had some type of other religion or weren't even religious at all. People would look at me weird but I didn't care. They deserve the thanks. lol
+1
GLaDOS to AMANDAt... November 23, 2009 05:24:24

My family always gives Christmas cards and 20$ to the trash collectors and the mail lady. They definitely appreciate it, and they're always so nice to us, I think they definitely deserve it.

I always said, "Thank you," to the lunch ladies as well. I mean, they could be all grumpy and mean, but even if they are, it could be because they don't think anyone appreciates what they do. It's a shame that people take others for granted like that.
+2
AMANDAt... to GLaDOS November 23, 2009 05:29:14

lol. Yeah.
That is good.

haha. The only time the lunch ladies seemed grumpy was the one in middle school. She was really mean to kids. However since I had some pretty decent manners none of the lunch ladies were ever mean to me. haha. We have never had a lunch gentlemen... is that what it is? haha.

When we aren't sure if the mail man or mail lady is showing up we will just say "mail person" haha. We're like "has the mail person put the mail in the box?" haha. Unless we know it is the lady... the man hasn't been around forever.
+1
GLaDOS to AMANDAt... November 23, 2009 05:34:40

Ours has been a lady for a while, and what little I've talked to her, she is nice.

It's always nice to know that there are, hopefully, more people who treat service-workers nicely, than people who don't.
+1
AMANDAt... to GLaDOS November 23, 2009 05:43:49

Yeah. I hope the same thing. I think if we make them feel good about what they do, it would make us feel better about ourselves... then people are happier... if only it were that simple. haha
+4
brotherplease November 20, 2009 19:26:47

Answered: I think that the police where crazy to have arrested this couple....
this is a civil matter for small claims court
+4
Lynn November 20, 2009 19:16:37

Answered: I think that the police where crazy to have arrested this couple....
Its all part of the growing mentality in this country that you are owed every damned thing. Tips are EARNED, not owed.

Our society is going straight to hell.....
+3
Josh November 20, 2009 19:10:45

Answered: Other....
I think it's not obligatory to pay a tip, otherwise it would be on the bill.
+1
GLaDOS to Josh November 20, 2009 21:59:58

...it was on the bill.
+3
Josh to GLaDOS November 21, 2009 00:41:20

it's still ridiculous that someone should HAVE to pay a tip, though.
+1
GLaDOS to Josh November 21, 2009 00:59:33 (edited)

Considering the prevalence of groups (some as large as SIXTEEN) who leave nothing, no matter how good the service is, it's not surprising. Maybe if people actually practiced tipping more often, then restaurants wouldn't NEED to require mandatory tip. It's a big case of some causing the punishment of everyone else.
+1
ellomotto to GLaDOS November 21, 2009 05:13:38

Maybe the waitress doesn't do as good a job because she knows she is going to get a tip. People should tip if they like the service
+1
GLaDOS to ellomotto November 21, 2009 05:36:51 (edited)

Hate to say, I have yet to meet a waitress who actually thinks, "Hell, I'm going to get so much from them anyway, it doesn't matter how I treat them." Usually they're a little more concerned over things like, "Crap, my house payment's due in two days," "That bastard just broke up with me, I don't know if I can do this," "I need to pay for Carrie's prescription," and so on. Yet, they often put on a happy face, smile and fake it as best they can for the customers.

Does it take an hour to get food sometimes? Yes, but that's not only the server's fault, there are only so many cooks in the back, so things may get backed up, and usually it's the HOSTESS's job to get flatware. If you're seated at a table, then there was likely a hostess.
So, in this case, people, in general, should ask:
1. What TIME is it? (look around, if there's an OBVIOUS dinner rush, then that might be why things are a little slow)
2. How many tables does my server have ALONG with mine? (MIGHT affect drink re-fill times, particularly if the other tables are demanding douchebags)
3. Did I get silverware when seated? (Hostess's job, usually, just like grabbing enough menus for you)

Common courtesy, sadly, isn't so common, more often in customers than servers. And, I hate to say, female customers are the worst when ...

Hate to say, I have yet to meet a waitress who actually thinks, "Hell, I'm going to get so much from them anyway, it doesn't matter how I treat them." Usually they're a little more concerned over things like, "Crap, my house payment's due in two days," "That bastard just broke up with me, I don't know if I can do this," "I need to pay for Carrie's prescription," and so on. Yet, they often put on a happy face, smile and fake it as best they can for the customers.

Does it take an hour to get food sometimes? Yes, but that's not only the server's fault, there are only so many cooks in the back, so things may get backed up, and usually it's the HOSTESS's job to get flatware. If you're seated at a table, then there was likely a hostess.
So, in this case, people, in general, should ask:
1. What TIME is it? (look around, if there's an OBVIOUS dinner rush, then that might be why things are a little slow)
2. How many tables does my server have ALONG with mine? (MIGHT affect drink re-fill times, particularly if the other tables are demanding douchebags)
3. Did I get silverware when seated? (Hostess's job, usually, just like grabbing enough menus for you)

Common courtesy, sadly, isn't so common, more often in customers than servers. And, I hate to say, female customers are the worst when it comes to a sense of entitlement.

Now, I agree if she was just being lazy, chattering to other servers or not doing anything, then she should be in trouble. However, if she was doing her job to the best of her ability, then she shouldn't have been penalized.

I've been a server, and a hostess. When I seated people, I either took away silverware (if it was already set on the table, and there was too much), OR I took it along with the menus and set them down so that people could pass them around, once they figured out where they were sitting.
(more)
+2
Tigerwo... to GLaDOS November 21, 2009 17:59:54

I agree it is wrong for people not to give tips. I worked in a resturant for several years and I know that the waitresses gave good service to those who tipped. I always tipped and was treated well but those who didn't tip didn't get as good as service. If there is a problem with a particular waitress or waiter I would go to the manager. If the server is just really busy I would give a tip and just understand that they could not give as good service because of that.
+1
seadog6608 to Josh November 20, 2009 22:57:31

Some restaurants add an automatic gratuity charge for larger parties. but this is really a civil matter for small claims court and noone should have been arrested.
+3
dublin9 November 20, 2009 19:02:55

Answered: Other....
You should only be arrested for casually walking by tables and pocketing tips left by others.
+6
grammaw November 20, 2009 18:27:21

Answered: I think that the police where crazy to have arrested this couple....
if the service is bad i dont tip ! ,when tipping becomes mandatory then i will stop going in to eat .
+2
luigi1-... to grammaw November 21, 2009 18:00:15

exactly. i left a $6 tip for a bowl of spigetti & a glass of house wine at macaroni grill on a $14 dollar tab. that's a 40% tip. the waitress made a sneer remark about working for tips & dealing with cheapskates. i haven't been to a macaroni grill since & won't ever go back.
+2
grammaw to luigi1-... November 21, 2009 18:22:28

yes i know that anger lol i sat in a steak house and waited and waited for my drink to be refilled a lady came by that was not my waitress and fiilled my glass up ,i went to her section and handed her the tip ..she said she could not take it and i asked her wich tables were hers she pointed to her station and i left it on one of her tables ..my waitress was to busy talking to her friends that came in to eat ..if the service sucks so do the tips
+6
Jimi_Bean November 20, 2009 18:06:21

Answered: I think that the police where crazy to have arrested this couple....
A tip is a representation of your opinion on the service you received. It should never be a requirement.
+2
Hambone34 November 20, 2009 17:27:40

Answered: I think that the police where crazy to have arrested this couple....
the idea that a tip is mandatory is crazy. i realize waiters and waitresses get screwed because they don't make minimum wage but the idea that they be promised 18 % each bill is stupid.the idea behind a tip is to get top notch service i iroutinely gie more than 18% if i think you provide good service. if your gonna require it just markup the food 18% and dont accept tips
+3
GLaDOS to Hambone34 November 20, 2009 21:59:26

Not EACH bill. The mandatory 18% is usually PURELY for parties of six people or more, some places it's eight people or more. But, that's the point, it's for large parties who often require more care, have more demands, and take up more time. It's like an insurance policy so that they don't get stiffed a BIG tip when they should get it.
+3
Hambone34 to GLaDOS November 20, 2009 22:14:20

my bad but bad service is bad service i dont care how many people there are
+1
GLaDOS to Hambone34 November 20, 2009 22:17:05

And "Bad service" is a very subjective term.
+2
Tigerwo... to GLaDOS November 21, 2009 18:04:46

yeah sometimes people use that as an excuse to get out of paying a tip or just to be mean and get their server in trouble for no reason.
+2
MJ November 20, 2009 17:24:36

Answered: Other....
if the tip was added as the gratuity then yeh they shuld pay, but if it was bad service then they shuldnt, ppl r just so cheap now a days wen leavin tips, beside the point that the econmy is down
+4
GLaDOS to MJ November 20, 2009 21:57:41

Too true. >.< It's not just the economy..people are cheap anyway. Then you have those bastards who go out every so often who NEVER tip, even after running a server ragged. Servers aren't dogs.
+3
Leyla November 20, 2009 15:10:45

Answered: I think that the police where crazy to have arrested this couple....
tips are voluntaryyy
+1
Turtle Chell November 20, 2009 15:09:31

Answered: I think that the police where crazy to have arrested this couple....
unless the resturant states they require gratuity, tips are based on the performance of the wait staff.
+1
GLaDOS to Turtle ... November 20, 2009 21:56:17

It was likely on the menu, at the bottom.
+1
Tigerwo... to GLaDOS November 21, 2009 18:05:39

in small print