While the rising cost of living is hurting people, tipping culture is getting even worse. Many stories available on the internet tell of self-checkout customers asking for tips, and restaurants taking advantage of customers’ lack of attentiveness and adding unreasonable surcharges. Recently, Southern California real estate agent Carrie Tong (who goes by @tactical.realtor on TikTok) shared how she was robbed of a few dollars at a restaurant in the name of an “additional wellness fee.” The video, shared on his Mother’s Day, garnered a lot of attention, with nearly 2 million views and thousands of people empathizing with Tong’s embarrassment.
He shared his experience while showing a restaurant bill in a video. On his Mother’s Day, Mr. Tong decided to take his wife out to a celebratory dinner at an upscale restaurant called Funke in Beverly Hills. After eating a hearty meal, Tong received his bill and was shocked to notice a 4% “wellness surcharge.” “He asked the waiter what the purpose was and apparently it was for the health and health benefits of the kitchen staff,” Tong explained.
It turned out that Tong had not noticed the note written at the bottom of the bill. “Guest checks are subject to a 4% processing fee. This fee does not replace regular guest tips, but rather is used by restaurants to supplement kitchen staff compensation and provide health and wellness benefits to employees. has reservations.” ”
The memo also states that customers can notify restaurant employees if they want the 4% wellness fee removed from their bill. But Tong said he didn’t know about it and said, “By the time I found out, it was too late. So we ended up paying.” The 4% surcharge was a big profit since typical bills at high-end restaurants run into the hundreds of dollars. So Tong’s dinner cost him nearly $700, so the wellness fee alone cost him $26. A real estate agent said, “I don’t understand why they pay health benefits to kitchen staff.”
People who learned about this unfair price setting couldn’t believe their eyes. “They charge $700 for dinner for two? It’s very lame to add that extra fee. Did they also add a 3% fee when paying by credit card? Stores near me is doing that – I think that’s weird.” @kayl said. a1. “My local restaurant adds 2% to the bill as a ‘living wage’ for kitchen staff. Prices are already higher than average. That’s not my fault, it’s my employer’s.” ” @cleo_sasha commented. “These prices are significantly inflated for employee compensation, so you’re going to add another 4%? We understand that employees need health and wellness benefits. .That’s the employer’s responsibility, not mine!” added @pawpaw0329.
In another similar example, the customer was so surprised by an 18% “voluntary” tip on the bill that they chose to add a “zero” tip. A Reddit user shared an image of a nearly $74 bill, of which a $10 tip was added by the restaurant. “Please note that an 18% gratuity is added to your check. Feel free to increase, decrease, or remove the tip amount as you wish. This tip is paid to the server, but is optional and at your convenience. ”, the memo states. I read the bottom of the bill. So the customer wrote “0” next to the “Tip” option.
Follow Cary Tong (@tactical.realtor) on TikTok for more lifestyle and real estate content.
