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What's even worse is when on presenting the check the waitress tells you 18% tip already included.

I've seen it normalized for parties of 6 or greater...but not for any party size until recently.

I find that completely wild. If that's the case it should be posted and announced prior to anything taking place.

Incidentally it was the worst service I had ever gotten in a very long time, presumably because it didn't matter at all

Those are legally not gratuities in the US but a “service charge” if they are mandatory. The worst part is that you have no guarantee it is actually distributed to employees, and it is charged sales tax unlike gratuities.

It usually is posted but not always obvious, I know to look for it for large parties but the counter service places it’s easy to sneak in because I’m order so rapidly I’m not scanning around for signs and fine print disclosures. It’s a dark pattern of getting you to order before you realize what’s going on

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