Couple Busted for Refusing to Pay Tip :blink:

[Nik+Heather 121]

Why is there a mandatory gratuity for tables of 6+?

Because usually they split the bill, and people say, "Oh, I ordered a 9$ plate, so here's $10 for my part plus the tip" Nevermind that it barely covers tax let alone getting up to a respectable tip.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

To all who posted.

What about the police? I wonder if they performed an unlawful arrest. You can't say what occurred was theft because no product was stolen. Service may be considered an "intangible" product but from what the students AND the owner said little service was provided. To me this was a contract disagreement that the police can not enter into unless there was some other issue (like public disturbance etc.)

IF the police arrested the patrons for theft (which they did), then this has far reaching implications at least in this town. If I'm an architectural firm who is providing a service to a client and that client stiffs us because he disagrees with us regarding the service we then have a right to call the police and have our client arrested immediately for theft!?

The police have no right to arrest a person regarding a disagreement on services (other then taking names and maybe making a police report). Its for a civil (small claims in this case) court to decide if the service was performed adequately and compensation due.

[Heracles 417]

The cops arrested the guy because they wanted to question him further. That is, how the hell he scored this chick.

Edited November 20, 2009 by Booyah!

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

The cops arrested the guy because they wanted to question him further. That is, how the hell he scored this chick.

I've posted this on another forum with a few police. They tend to protect their own but it will be interesting what they say.

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

I think that pub just made it worse for themselves by making a bigger deal out of it. Now they are on youtube and tv and they look bad. The couple doesnt look bad IMO. If they really had waitied an hour for food, had to find their own silver ware and had to refill their own drink then I wouldnt have tipped either. Im not going to tip for someone NOT doing their job.

Ive been to an applebees that did that to us. We were having a going away party for a friend. Had about 20 co workers there. They took FOREVER on the chicken wings *about an hour as well,and brought it out when we were about ready to leave... but those who ordered steaks got theirs within about 30 minutes or so. No silver put down for us, had to request it. Service that night was lousy. The manager was called out bcz after an hour had past and half of us who got our chicken wing meal an hour late we were all ready to go bowling. None of us who ordered chicken wings had to pay, and none was required to pay the 16-18% gratuity. Applebees even though was wrong that night, they made up for it and we went back plenty of times for parties after that ...

[NickD 202]

I always thought they make you wash dishes if you don't pay your bill.

But it's a crazy field, daughter works part time as a waitress, gets paid practically nothing, so only income is tips, told her to shake her butt when she leaves a table.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I always thought they make you wash dishes if you don't pay your bill.

But it's a crazy field, daughter works part time as a waitress, gets paid practically nothing, so only income is tips, told her to shake her butt when she leaves a table.

I understand why there is a tip system in the US but I think it should be illegal to pay under minimum wage to servers.

[Niels Bohr 72]

LOL@NickD

I like the comment when you advise your daughter to shake her butt a little bit. Now I'm laughing and tears are flowing from laughter

[nowhereman 1]

If & when the charges are dropped the couple should sue the restaurant... the whole thing was blown out of proportion. Also I'm surprised that the cops showed up so quickly (article says the bartender took the money, sans the tip, called the police & had the couple arrested). I would have left the restaurant immediately, before the cops arrived.

[Heracles 417]

The restaurant should be fined along with the the person who called, for wasting the Police's time.

They would have received a nice $500 on the spot fine in Melbourne for calling 000 (911) without there being an emergency.

[Sandrila 1]

I'm surprised they were arrested though, for $16. I didn't think the police bothered with such trivialities. Talk to them yes, but arrest? I guess they refused to comply even after the police arrived is the only thing I can think of, which makes them idiotic.

it must have been real slow that day

[SMR 368]

The restaurant should be fined along with the the person who called, for wasting the Police's time.

They would have received a nice $500 on the spot fine in Melbourne for calling 000 (911) without there being an emergency.

They may not have called 911. The police have another local number.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Why is there a mandatory gratuity for tables of 6+?

Because usually they split the bill, and people say, "Oh, I ordered a 9$ plate, so here's $10 for my part plus the tip" Nevermind that it barely covers tax let alone getting up to a respectable tip.

People do suck when eating in large groups. I tell people they are short $.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

One possible solution: Wagners could have paid the bill as-was, retained a copy--and then sent Lehigh Pub a bill for the gratuity (and tax theron) along with a very nasty note.

Why is there a mandatory gratuity for tables of 6+?

Because usually they split the bill, and people say, "Oh, I ordered a 9$ plate, so here's $10 for my part plus the tip" Nevermind that it barely covers tax let alone getting up to a respectable tip.

Or, variation of it is that one of the party assumes that others will be leaving tips and then "stiffs" on his/her own portion of the bill--which I have seen happen more than once.

[MrsCat 6]

I always thought they make you wash dishes if you don't pay your bill.

But it's a crazy field, daughter works part time as a waitress, gets paid practically nothing, so only income is tips, told her to shake her butt when she leaves a table.

excellent parenting.