Perhaps the BEST B1G Forum anywhere, here at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

I was surprised she took exception to the service charge really.  I tip 20% unless service is pretty bad, and it rarely is.  There was a line on the bill for "additional gratuity" that I think set her off.

I hate that too.

I generally tip 20% as well. I go above when it's really exemplary. 

I don't mind the forced gratuity, because it's not really any different than what I'd normally pay. But a forced gratuity AND an additional gratuity line? Now you're pissing me off. 

If you came here, yes, I would buy your slot. 

he doesn't go anywhere

My daughters (servers & bartenders) told me 20% wasn't enuff anymore, and shamed me into tipping 25% most of the time.
If service is bad it's around 20%

That makes no sense, escalating restaurant prices are an automatic escalator on tip wages, even at the same tipping%.  And restaurant price increases are far out-pacing inflation so the 15% or 20% tip from yesteryear is worth more in actual dollars than what they were being paid previously. 

yup, explain that to your bartender

I haven't encountered a bartender that gave better service for better tips in many years, so no conversation needed.

I've learned from extensive experience,............ the bartender is the last person on earth you want to piss with.

Not pissing with anyone.  There's no conversation at all.  I tip 20% but there's no difference in service compared to those who tip 15% and those who tip 25% so there's no point in attempting differentiation.

This of course doesn't apply in places where I'm semi-regular and/or know the bartender.

And it definitely doesn't apply in Mexican resorts where a hundy up front can ensure true premium service for an entire week.

not many places where I'm NOT semi-regular and/or know the bartender.

Well yeah.

You should definitely not move here.  Service is apathetic at best, and outright hostile on average.