Mandatory Tip

I went to Solvang with a group of six people over Memorial Day weekend. We had an enjoyable morning at Solvang’s only bookstore, then decided to have lunch at the Danish Inn. After (dining), we discovered that a mandatory tip of 15% had been added to our bill. Since we thought the service was worth only 10%, this was an overcharge. There was no advance warning of this policy on the menu, by sign or orally.

BARRY GOLD

Los Angeles

The Danish Inn responds: Our policy is to collect a 15% tip on parties of six or more . We do this to protect our employees from diners who do not leave tips since the work involved in serving large parties can be substantial and these are often the groups that forget to tip. Although we do not post this policy, it is not an uncommon one among restaurants nor is it illegal.