What's the difference between gratuity and tip?

Question

We were a party of 10 at a restaurant and each got a bill. There was a Total charge for the meal; there was a 18% gratuity charge; and there was a blank line for "tip". I thought gratuity was the same as tip and did not tip, as the others in the party did not.
What's the difference and is that normal? Should I have tipped?

Answer 1

no ..you did it right...gratuity is a tip that's added by percentage of the amount of bill when there is a large number of ppl in ur party...a tip is when they don't need to add a gratuity...

Answer 2

As so many others have already told you, a gratuity is added to the check whenever there's a large party...not certain whether it's eight or ten diners. The reason they do this is because not all people in large parties leave a tip, while others in the party may leave only a dollar. The waiter/waitress has spent more time and energy on a large party than other tables in his/her section and deserves to be assured they're going to be rewarded with a fair tip. The way to avoid tightwads or prevent "stiffing" from happening is to add the gratuity right to the check. No additional tip is necessary.

However, one thing not mentioned by those answering is how much you should leave for a tip when it's not included as gratuity. If it's average service, 15% is fair. If you had very good service, then you should leave 20%. If the service was excellent, 20% plus one penny (this tells your server how great they were). And if the service was extremely poor, leave one penny. This tells the server you're not ignorant of tips, and you didn't forget to leave one. It's just that they didn't deserve one. Please keep in mind though that a person in this line of work doesn't have an easy job, and the bulk of his/her income is derived from tips. So have compassion in your judgment of service.

Source: Ex-waitress

Answer 3

Gratuity Vs Tip

Answer 4

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/awTjQ

tip and gratuity are the same thing. Gratuity just sounds nicer. Many restaurants are adding gratuity onto bills - especially those that are located within touristy type areas. The reason being is that servers have been getting screwed. Many people from other countries do not tip or tip well so it is hard to hire people as servers. Just imagine you get paid less than minimum wage as it is expected that you will get between 15% - 20% tip. The restaurant then submits their w-2 forms to the government with your salary plus another box that includes tips. Within this tip box, the restaurant/manager will include what they estimate would be your tip -- there is no way for them to give an actual so it is required that the restaurant report on the W-2 form what they estimate as a tip for you. Then you do not get tipped -- so you now are not only receiving wages below minimum wage, but you are paying taxes on money you do not even make. Be hard to hire -- my husband for years worked as a restaurant manager and he would often have to speak with guests that low-balled or did not tip to explain our custom. Much easier to simply add the gratuity to the bill. I would think though that the menu should have stated that an 18% graduity will be added. You were right not to add an additional tip -- unless of course, you felt the server deserved more.

Answer 5

A "tip" is a derivative of the acronym "T.I.P.S.", which stands for "to insure prompt service" or "to insure proper service", depending on who you ask. A tip was a gift of money or incentives given up front to insure you and your party would get V.I.P. treatment during your visit to the restaurant, club, or hotel. Good examples of how T.I.P.S. was used can be seen in the many mafia movies where a mobster gives cash up front to a maître d to get the best seat and service the establishment can offer. That is a tip.

A gratuity stems from the Latin word, "grātiīs", which means "out of kindness". Gratuity is regarded as "a gift or reward" (ref: dictionary.com), which is commonly given after services rendered.

In summary: A tip is a gift given before services. A gratuity is given after. However, due to the butchering of the English language, a tip is synonymous to gratuity, though their origins differ.

Answer 6

if the gratuity charged was added, it wasn't necessary to tip. however, if the service was excellent, leave an extra 2% to make it 20%. only if you thought the server
was very friendly.
regarding the charge, yeah, it's normal. the restaurant
states that at the bottom of the menu.

Answer 7

The answer depends on the management and wording. When added by the establishment, a "gratuity" is a tip, and will go to the wait staff. However, when the establishment adds a "service charge" it is between the business and the customer, and is not required to be given to the wait staff. If you pay an added "service charge" on your bill, your servers may get nothing.

Answer 8

No difference. If they charge you a "gratuity" then you don't have to tip, unless you feel like you got extra-great service, then add a few % on there.....

Same thing.

Answer 9

The tip line is on every receipt. The gratuity is only added for large parties. They are the same thing.

Answer 10

gratuities are automatically added to parties of 8 or more. it is a tip...in that case, a tip is anything over the 18 % that you you give the server....18% is fair as long your service was descent