I understand the value of a mandatory tip in the service industry for large parties. The whole anti-stiffing idea. However, mandatory and gratuity seem to be mutually exclusive concepts, since a gratuity is something given voluntarily or beyond obligation (Merriam-Webster). Once you FORCE a group to pay it, in my mind, the gratuity/tip has become a TAX, and I don't think service organizations like restaurants, bars, and pubs have any legal right to charge an internal tax. If you want to charge me a higher fee because there are more than five people buying your goods and services, then I can gladly choose not to trade in your establishment. This forced tipping thing has gotten out of hand, and seems to be a symptom of an overly entitled society in the first place. Regardless of group size, a gratuity/tip should be something I have a reserved right to give as a recognition of quality service. Now if you want to call it a "surcharge", that's another story. Calling the police is just silliness.

I've been loving Neatorama for the better part of two years. I faithfully peruse both Neatorama and Gizmodo throughout the day, looking for fresh stuff. I often send links to workmates and friends to share the fun and cool things on this blog. I live in Ventura, Ca., and work at the CSU in Camarillo as a network guy. Married 25 years to my beautiful wife, we have one 23 year old son who is down in Orange County. We watch a fair amount of evening broadcast television on our 42" plasma, and I'm often known to grab the laptop I leave next to the recliner and do a refresh on Neatorama.

A very interesting item. I had read about this several years ago online, and then found the book, "Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919" by Stephen Puleo and bought and read it. An incredible story. Puleo also indicates that the molasses was actually kept for alcohol that was being used in military munitions. The saga contains a lot of great details and photos about a tragic event.