What is yucky is asking you for your name AND then remembering it. That is not necessary, in my opinion. They are not going to call on you for service.

X % added to parties of 8 or more IS the tip, that policy is to prevent the server from getting stiffed or undertipped. But MSC and other nonsense fees do not go to the server; as noted they are so the restaurant can avoid a price increase and having to reprint menus.

Of note is that if the policy of some MSC is not clearly posted either on the menu, the entry door or some other obvious location, you can ask to have it removed, and I would. A place back home started adding 4% MSC to checks during covid to make up for reduced traffic. I sympathized with their plight and always happily paid it. But once covid ended and volume was back to normal, they continued to place the charge bc they realized most people don't scrutinize the check and will just pay it. I always ask for it to be removed, and they always comply without argument. If they refused to remove it, I would stop patronizing their establishment. Vote with your feet.

I remember sitting with my wife in the old Sonrise Cafe and listening to a group of about 6-8 lady golfers actually arguing whether to leave .50 cents or a Dollar each as a tip.
It was quite revealing.

Ive learned a lot from this thread. I know now to tip differently.
I see that waitstaff can be paid around $7 per hour but min wage is around $12

So from now on I will keep track of the time we spend at the table. One hour…tip will be $5 to bring them up to minimum wage.

And that may be too generous for unmotivated people who wont go out to get an education or trade.

You will, with that logic, be tipping more generously for slower service.

You may write off the tip on a business meal. There is no IRS section for tipping, so add it to your bill. The entire expense is then a business expense. As 95% of the people at TV are retired, this is a very unhelpful tip. See what I did there, a tip on a tip. And they say financial folks are dull and boring.

And now we know why!

Absolutely! The service charge is what the restaurant demand to "cover", or make up for the tip you no longer have to leave. They have taken the option away. Still, some are so conditioned they still feel the "need" to tip on top of the mandatory tip. Since the service charge is mandatory, management claims it as revenue. Improves their numbers and (big plus for them) they get to administer the additional $ and share in it.

Yes, I guess I agree.

You're very much the exception, not the rule.
Part of my job as a sales rep is to do server training. Most people want a friendly, engaging and honest server.

Part of the training we do encourages servers to smile, introduce themselves and engage with their customers, as well as offer honest advice when asked. Also, to learn their names if they're regulars. People in general like being greeted by their name. It makes them feel appreciated.

We also tell them to read the customer and be flexible. Some like yourself, don't want anything but service.

The server training we do has been proven to improve the customer experience and in turn increase tips.

The really good servers truly enjoy what they do, and the higher tips they make are a direct result of that.

I see it every day.

Hey! That $5 +$5 from 4 more tables + @ $8 wage and server is near $30 ph. Not bad for wait job at Denny's. And she never had to even look at me or smile.

It's not that simple. They usually have to share part of the tips with the bussers and kitchen.

Plus they won't make good tips for 8 straight hours. Only during the busy time.

Guess I'm another exceptional individual. Be polite. Be quietly efficient. Serve the meal with the least amount of interrupting as possible. (This is a date and you weren't invited to join us Becky). If you are going to refill our coffee or drinks we shouldn't even know you were here. They should appear as if by magic.
To me, once the order has been taken, the less I actually have to speak with the server about needing/wanting this or that, the better. The meal should flow as if from a wellspring, without hiccups or sputtering. A meal catered by a genie. That, to me is exceptional service. Do NOT call me Hon.

But, they may do way better. And, I would think handling only 5 tables in an hour is pretty slow. As far as tip sharing or pooling, there are other establishments and jobs, so they can choose. Plus, remember all the Other tipped employees who also put money in the pool. There could be some big winners in there to claim a share of. Things may not be all gloom and doom for waitstaff like we've been lead to believe. I remember one waiter in a more upscale restaurant. I noticed his gold Rolex President and remarked on it. He grinned and assured me it was real. He told me he loved his job. Lots of big business folk, each trying to order the most expensive stuff and trying to be the biggest tipper.

If you can make $25 an hour, you are looking at $50,000 a year. Not bad for a job with no educational requirements.

Do people tip clerks in a clothing store or at Home Depot or the grocery store? I think most of those jobs start around minimum wage!

Florida minimum wage is $11 an hour or $440 a week or $22,880 a year.