Tipping on top of gratuity

(IMO) the 20% is the tip

It seems that every contract is different. Can you call the company and ask them directly if the driver gets any of that 20%? I'm still baffled and confused that catering companies charge the service fee and that does NOT include tips to the servers (SMH).

We decided it depends on the vendor. Fo our restaurant, we're going to give the staff a little extra although the 20% gratuity IS considered a tip. But not for the limo driver because the contract also includes 30% gratuity and it's less than a mile ride.

The 20% (or whatever it is) is the tip; however, most of the actual workers don't get that. That pays the venue or business to in turn pay those people's salaries. You can give a little extra if you'd like, but it's not mandatory or a slap in the face if you don't.

I'd call the company and ask where that money goes. If it's a gratuity that pays salaries, it's not a 'gratuity' and probably illegal. If the staff is paid a salary and actually gets all of the 20% tip on top of that, it's better, but frankly, I'd like to decide how much to tip people. If they are telling you it's a gratuity, it should go to the driver.

I have always hated that system that makes you THINK your vendor got a gratuity, but you don't really ever know. I think it's icky and scammy and in many cases, another way to charge you more under the guise that the actual people who do the work will get the money. Which they don't.

This is one of those things that get, somehow, to be considered normal, but is really stupid and deceptive. I hate it.

I'd say its the tip! and be done! I had the same question about my caterer and their service fee... i emailed and asked and havent heard back since! WIERD Right?!

It is the tip, but I have read over and over that if they do an amazing job and you are highly please and all that, then they welcome additional tips to be given directly to the person by you.

Example would be - you and a large crowd go to Olive Garden. Well, Olive Garden has a thing where if there is 6 or more (think thats the number) then they automatically add the gratuity/tip on the bill for the waiter... but let's say this waiter bent over backwards for you and it was just an awesome experience... at this point, you have the option to give a little extra on the table for them. Yes, their tip was already added onto the bill, but you felt they deserved more than what was applied/given.

So Say you had 2 servers and you had already paid the percentage in the contract for that, but 1 of them was way better than the other and did amazing, you could then privately tip that amazing hard working server and they wouldn't have to split it with the lazy slacker server.

With limos, we have always tipped for good service/driving, even if the alleged gratuity is included. I would just give him a "handshake $20".

I'm not at all happy with a tip not going to who performed the service.