re: Another thread about tipping, this one really is a gray area

I recently encountered for the first time a Living Wage Service Charge. It was coded something like LvgWgSC 3.5%.

This was a hipster place in a vacation town. I chuckled at how the OT would react, but I tipped the lady over 20% on top of that; she was an outstanding and friendly waitress.

This place did not explain where the fee went, but some places who do it say that fee goes to back of house employees who don’t share in tips. Of course, those folks get more than the $2.13 an hour min. wage that tipped employees often get paid.