03/19/2026
During a recent dinner, I was presented with a bill totaling $1,500, and I was surprised to find that a tip of $300 was apparently anticipated. The receipt included a list of suggested gratuities, which seemed to imply that leaving a substantial amount extra was customary. Given the high cost of the meal, I left a tip of $25, which I felt was fair considering the service provided. The server's demeanor changed noticeably, and the manager soon became involved, referencing industry standards. I question whether it is fair to expect significantly higher gratuities solely due to the size of the bill. Is it unreasonable to expect that the quality of service should dictate the tip amount, rather than the bill total?