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built-in tips in NYC


having had jobs that depend on tips in the past, we love overtipping for good service. we even like overtipping a bit for regular service. and we love when other people overtip, too.

when we go out to eat with a group of people, we like that the tip is included so we just have to divvy up the bill instead of negotiate the tip with our companions.

on the other hand, who likes to be forced to tip for subpar service? we’ve all seen it at the bottom of the menu: “a 20% gratuity will be added to groups of 6 or more.”

however, in NYC that automatic 20% of a group of 6 is no good. word from the NYC Dept of Consumer Affairs (via NewYorkology) is that automatic gratuities:

  • - must be listed on the menu in 10-point type or larger;
  • - can only apply to groups of 8 or more; and
  • - cannot exceed 15%.

Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz said in a statement sent to NewYorkology. “Charging mandatory gratuities on parties with less than eight people is illegal. Consumers should call 311 to report these illegal activities.”

you can also file a complaint with the DCA online.

also, for what it’s worth, it’s also not OK to charge women more than men to get their hair cut. Please see NY Admin Code 20-750(c). just sayin’.



posted on Thursday, February 12th, 2009 at 1:03 pm and is filed under 2009, new york, nyc. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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