Comment by jpcfl | Hacker News Reader

Comment by jpcfl | Hacker News Reader

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You are not. But every time I bring up the unpleasantness and absurdity of compulsory tipping, people seem to assume I'm stingy.

I live in San Francisco, so the surcharges added to my bill are often:

  * tax (I think it's 8.625%)
  * 18% gratuity
  * 6% SF mandate

I know we've become accustomed to this, but I'm getting real sick of this kind of trickery in the US. I don't see any way to stop it short of legislation, though.

All I want is to pay a straight $15 for a sandwich, and not have to solve the math equation of $14.99 + 8.625% tax + 18% tip + 6% "SF mandate".

I recently visited the UK and it was really nice. Order a £15 sandwich, pay £15.

I don’t know if it’s across the entire UK but most restaurants in London add an automatic 12.5% gratuity. Only way to remove it is to ask the server which is far more awkward than choosing a tip privately.

But 15 quid for a sandie.

I've seen it second-hand many times, the all-too-common mistake of people who aren't immensely wealthy striving to live in SF, somewhere they can't afford to buy property or accumulate savings, and are willing to accept any and all abuse to remain rather than relocate somewhere more reasonable with lower taxes and less bullshit.

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