Some of New York City’s trendiest hotel bars have started adding tips of up to 20 percent to the tab, reported the New York Post.
Why?
To offset the throngs of non-tipping Europeans who frequent New York City, the report said.
"New York City is now a tourist-based economy," nightlife impresario Steve Lewis told the paper.
He added:
"The French and the Italians and the Spanish don’t tip, so it’s becoming a necessity at any place that’s dealing with a Euro crowd and wants to maintain its staff."
One such property was the Tribeca Grand Hotel: At this hotel bar, where a double Beefeater gin on the rocks costs US$26, the Post says a bartender includes on the tab an extra $4.68 tip – "the obligatory 18 percent gratuity."
By David Wilkening
