Pope and John Wagner were hauled away by police and charged with theft for not paying the mandatory 18 percent gratuity totaling $16 after eating at the Lehigh Pub in Bethlehem, Pa. with six friends.
Pope claimed that they had to wait nearly an hour for their order and that she had to get napkins and silverware for the table herself.
“At this point I became very annoyed because I had already gone up to the bar myself to have my soda refilled because the waitress never came back,” Pope said.
After the $73 bill came, the group paid for food, drinks, and tax but refused to pay the tip. After explaining the bad service to the bartender in charge, Pope claimed he took their money and called police. The couple was handcuffed and placed in the back of a police car.
“I understand that, you know, we didn’t pay the gratuity, but it was a gratuity, it wasn’t something that was required,” said Wagner.
Police charged them with theft since the gratuity was part of the actual bill. However, it is doubtful that the charges will hold up in front of a judge. The couple is scheduled to appear in court next month.
Firstly, how did gratituity become part of the actual bill? Isn't it something you give out of gratitute? The word alone implies that it is not mandatory.
Gratitude – the quality of being thankful
Isn't it just ridiculous to impose gratitude? You must be grateful that I have served you, because without me the food would never have gotten to you. Hello? Isn't that part of your job description in the first place? Furthermore, by imposing gratituity charges as part of the bill, wouldn't it dampen the quality of service? It gives the staff assurance that the tip is "in the bag", why bother then? I'm going to get an 18% tip regardless so lets have some fun now shall we?
Good luck bringing the case to court I say. As for the bartender who called the cops on the couple, grow some brains.
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