Over Priced Things That Shouldn't Be?

[Slickhill]

Many places have the add a tip portion on the screen when you pay with a card. I haven’t seen one in the last five years with a key for an amount less than 18 percent.

You can usually select custom tip and enter whatever you want. But someone is definitely pushing the 18/25/30 percent tip expectation.

 

[Q child]

Many places have the add a tip portion on the screen when you pay with a card. I haven’t seen one in the last five years with a key for an amount less than 18 percent.

You can usually select custom tip and enter whatever you want. But someone is definitely pushing the 18/25/30 percent tip expectation.

I see. I think that might be what Elk97 is talking about. That is manipulation. Don't give in to that sorta thing.
If my meal was $25 (a reasonable price for a lunch at a restaurant around here) I'd do $4. 15% is $3.75 then round it up to $4 to get to 16%. Totally reasonable for everyone. They're making money, you're saving a little money compared to 18% or 25%. I personally tip a little more than that, but I really don't think the servers are offended by that.

 

[Q child]

I think you'd be surprised at how often I don't get tipped at all. Everything went fine, food was good, no tip. It happens a lot more than when I get 25%. Tip your servers! But don't fret about it. A few bucks for good service is usually totally fair.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Like my granddad used to say, "I never got tipped at the shoe factory".

 

[Elk97]

I want to challenge you on this idea. Where does the expectation come from and how is it expressed? I think that maybe this has more to do with what you feel is expected of you as a customer than what the servers are expecting of you. I work in a restaurant during the summer as a side gig. I work hard and do a good job. If, I am making 15% for a shift, then that is a totally fine shift for me. This is a casual fish taco spot.
I've never (like not one time) made 25% for a shift. And 25% for a service is actually pretty rare. Maybe one customer in 50 does 25%. Maybe if you're at a fancy restaurant with multiple courses or something then there is more expectation? But, your casual spot, I don't think they are expecting 20% or 25%. Do 15%. You're not an asshole at 15%.

It's the suggested tips on the bill that usually start at 18-20% and go up from there, and sometimes it's on the total that includes sales tax (almost 10% here in WA). I always tip unless it's terrible service, I just don't like being made to feel like a jerk for not paying 25%. At local restaurants where I know the people and the service and food is great I'm happy to give a good tip. If you have enough money to go out and eat you have enough to give an appropriate tip.

 

[JohnB]

I was in Colville WA the other day and a foot long at Subway was over $18
This was just the sandwich; no drinks and no sides.
Absolute highway robbery

I had a similar experience at the Omak Subway a couple years ago and figured "I guess that's the end of me going to Subway"