I've seen this policy varied before - sometimes 8 persons or more qualifies for an automatic 18 or 20% tip.
I do think it's necessary that a server be tipped; the majority of servers rely almost solely on their tips as a main source of income. However, perhaps 18 or 20% is little steep for a mandatory add-on. Perhaps 15%, which seems like a good compromise, would allow for the server to be compensated, perhaps more fairly, given the increased number of orders, but would not be outrageous, especially considering that sometimes service is lousy.
That said, I think a person should have a right to refuse a tip if it's not required 100% of the time. If the tip were always included, as in many countries, then complaints would decline.
Also, being arrested for this matter is ludicrous. I can see a court date being fair - an act like this could be considered equal to a traffic fine violation, and treated as such in court.
I do think it's necessary that a server be tipped; the majority of servers rely almost solely on their tips as a main source of income. However, perhaps 18 or 20% is little steep for a mandatory add-on. Perhaps 15%, which seems like a good compromise, would allow for the server to be compensated, perhaps more fairly, given the increased number of orders, but would not be outrageous, especially considering that sometimes service is lousy.
That said, I think a person should have a right to refuse a tip if it's not required 100% of the time. If the tip were always included, as in many countries, then complaints would decline.
Also, being arrested for this matter is ludicrous. I can see a court date being fair - an act like this could be considered equal to a traffic fine violation, and treated as such in court.