QUOTE

Some cheapskates are whining about mandatory tips at a handful of New York restaurants -- even, God forbid, for infants. Well, let them eat at home with their screaming tots.

Intermittent bursts of outrage over the few places which impose automatic "service charges" are out of touch with the rest of the hungry, civilized world.

In most European and some Asian countries, built-in tips are the norm. It's why service abroad is more professional than in the US, where waiters are regarded as lowly drudges who must grovel to make a living -- and sometimes act that way.

Read more: < http://www.nypost.com/p....drvivld >

QUOTE

But far from being elitist, a mandatory service charge democratizes the restaurant experience for both customers and staff. Waiters and sommeliers don't have to "up-sell" pricier choices in hopes of pocketing bigger bucks.