Man arrested for leaving to small of a tip at a restaurant!

[Guest]

http://www.wftv.com/money/3725161/detail.html

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y -- A New York City man accused of leaving an inadequate tip at a restaurant was arrested, fingerprinted and photographed for a mug shot.

Humberto A. Taveras, 41, faces a misdemeanor charge of theft of services after he and his fellow diners argued with Soprano's Italian and American Grill managers over the legality of requiring an 18 percent tip for large parties.

"They chased us down like a bunch of criminals," Taveras said. "It killed our weekend."

Taveras and eight others had pizza at the restaurant in this resort village Sunday night. He told the Glens Falls Post-Star they weren't completely satisfied with the food and left a tip of under 10 percent. Taveras said they also were not told of a mandatory 18 percent gratuity for parties of six or more and did not see notice of it on their menus.

Restaurant owner Joe Soprano said all the menus have the notice, and the waitress informed the group. He said he did not choose to pursue charges because of the money, but because Taveras' group was obnoxious.

"It's unfortunate it has come to this, but this guy was rude and abrasive. They practically threw food at us," Soprano said.

Taveras plans to fight the charge. He was issued an appearance ticket and was scheduled to appear in town court Thursday.

The arrest raises the issue of whether the gratuities that restaurants automatically tack on for serving large groups are legally enforceable debts.

Warren County Sheriff Larry Cleveland said he did not believe the issue had been litigated before in New York. He said the case could turn on whether the person is notified of the tip requirement beforehand.

"It's not a black-and-white issue," Cleveland said. "It will be very interesting to see where it goes in court."


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I can't believe they could arrest someone for this. Should be interesting to see how this unfolds in court.
...Jennifer...

[therock1811]

The argument won't hold water I bet.

[NWIASpotter]

Haha it shouldn't thats pretty dumb if you ask me!!

[chadtm80]

Good waste of our tax dollars.. Un real

[Lindaloo]

This one should be in the books as one of the dumbest arrests ever!!

[Miss Mary]

A dumb arrest but can you just hear all yeahs and high fives at restaurants across the nation today?

My mom still tips $1 or less. For every meal she eats in a restaurant. She's 80. A buck doesn't cover inflation, the high cost of eating out, etc.! Consequently when my family and I dine out with her, at one of her favorite haunts, boy do we get nasty-nasty looks from ~every~ employee at that establishment! And consequently, my brothers and I (spouses too) are as nice as can be and we generously tip! My one brother has been known to wander off the bathroom, pulling aside the waitress apologizing for our mother's rude behavior in the past and then making sure we tip very well. Now at a few of these restaurants if they see my mom walk in first, they all groan but when see the rest of us, they're all smiles!

Mary