Does "18% Service Fee" = gratuity?

From my contract: All food and beverage prices are subject to a fee of 22% as gratuity and/or

services charge,

Looks like mine is both.

I had a lunch several weeks ago with a few teachers. There was tax, a service fee and a suggested 20% gratuity. We treated the service fee as the tip. They charge us for them to serve us? Uh... no. This tipping thing is out of control. Everybody has their hand frozen in the out position.

Be sure to ask the vendor if it is a tip or salary, it is sometimes phrased like it's a tip when it's not.

Service fees are not gratuity. I am being charged 22% and that does not include gratuity.

My venue specifically states 18% gratuity, and separate sales tax for catering in the contract.

No the service fee doesn't include the gratuity

Ours was not gratuity. It was the charge for all the behind the scenes stuff and the linens they brought for their tables, etc. Just ask your caterer to explain it

I wpuld ask the caterer

Ask them to be sure

Update: Our particular service fee does NOT include gratuity. She said she gets that question all the time...you'd think they would just add a note to their contract to save some time. Thanks all for your input! If anyone else is debating, I would also recommend reaching out to your vendor!