What about making tipping mandatory for non-english speaking customers? (The local story is a little old but I am just curious what other think about it. I also think NY does it and possibly other places.)
"A restaurant in Hawaii is under fire for the fine print written on its menus – a message directed at non-English speaking customers. The menu reads, “A 15 percent gratuity will be added to your check for parties of six or more and for non-English speaking guests.
A restaurant spokeswoman said 99 percent of the customers are foreign tourists who, by custom, do not tip. The IRS requires that waiters pay taxes on tips – even on the tips they don’t receive – and the restaurant says it’s simply trying to retain its staff by cushioning the financial blow. Some customers are calling the forced gratuity unfair."
http://msnbc.newsvine.com/_news/201...c-gratuity-for-non-english-speaking-customers
"IRS administrative rules require they consider 8 percent of its total sales as tips, meaning waiters who did not get tipped still have to pay taxes on them."
http://ktar.com/?nid=509&sid=1383674
The restaurant’s owners, who removed the notice from their menu after a local television station reported on it, did not comment. But some other tourism-reliant businesses said they understood the restaurant’s motivation, even if they were surprised it posted the notice.
Hank Taufaasau, the owner of Hank’s Cafe Honolulu, said Asian guests often did not add a gratuity. “It’s not part of their culture,” he said. “They spend a lot of money, but they don’t tip.” Some customers, too, may come from places where gratuities are automatically added to restaurant bills.
Mr. Taufaasau emphasized that he did not approve of Keoni by Keo’s actions, but his assessment of the cultural divide was echoed by waiters and managers as well as on primers included with checks at several establishments.
At the Moana Surfrider, a Westin resort at Waikiki, the lessons come with the check — and in six languages. “Our international guests often ask about gratuities,” the primer reads in English. “Quality service is customarily acknowledged by a gratuity of 15-20 percent.”
and more examples follow..
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/us/17gratuity.html
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On a side not since restaurants made me think of it....An old story but I am glad my state did this
"Hawaii was the first in the world to ban possession of shark fins meaning shark fin soup will no longer be served in the state."
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/14993446/shark-fin-ban-starts-frida
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[/QUOTE]
ing. The bartender brought two by mistake. I told him I didn't order two and he insisted that I pay for both. I told him no (I assume he rang up one and was going to pocket the cash for the other). Then he started cussing at me. I called him Elroy Jetson and het got mad and told me he was going to kick my ass. He looked just like Elroy Jetson. Then he went over to one of the bouncers and started pointing at me. I told my buddy that I brought with me we're probably going to have to leave. Then the greatest thing happened, the bouncer looked at Elroy and shook his head no and walked away.
