Mandatory tipping: Money grab or good etiquette?

Many Canadian restaurants automatically tack on an 18 per cent gratuity to the check for large groups,but few have dared to go anyfurther than that.

But now, a downtownCalgary Earls is rocking the boat andexperimenting with the mandatory tip.

• Earls.67 tests mandatory 16% tipping system

Customers atEarls.67 pay a16 per cent hospitalitycharge on their bill, which will be shared among all the staff.

"The restaurant industry is evolving. We want to test this to gain information and knowledge to see if there's a different way to reward and pay our employees," Craig Blize, VP of operations for Earls Restaurants, told the Calgary Eyeopener on Monday.

• Do you think Canadian restaurants and eateries should bring in mandatory tipping? Leave your comments below.

The members of this week's Unconventional Panel couldn't wait togive us their two cents on this topic.

How much do you tip?

"Generally, 15 to 20 per cent of the meal and I appreciate the opportunity to do that," said George Brookman, CEO of West Canadian Industries

"Mine is totally discretionary based on the service and the food that I'm provided," said Manjit Minhas.

Calgary comedian and writerJeff Kubikis a big tipper.

"I do flat 20 per cent on tax," he said."The Interac machine has that button, I love it."

Should tipping be optional?

Absolutely, said Minhas.

"We shouldn't be told what we have to pay them. We are told what oursalad costs and what oursteaks cost and what our veggies [cost]," she said.

But both Brookman and Kubik said that's a moot point because tipping is not really optional.

"It's a fake option," said Kubik.

"We've bought into a scam that's lasted for decades. It's not optional. It's codified into our laws in Alberta. You are allowed to pay a lower minimum wage for anyone serving alcohol. So not only do we socially know that, the law at the moment knows that."

Final thoughts on mandatory tipping?

Kubikis in favour of it, but thinks it's time to end the practice of tippingaltogether and raisewages for servers.

Brookmandoesn't like idea of the restaurant determining theamount he should tip.

"I just like the option of making a statement about the service I receive."

Minhasis against the practice of mandatory tipping and said it's time for restaurant owners to step up and treat their service staff better.

"If they really believe that their chef should be paid more they pay them more! Then what they get as a tip should be above and beyond."

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• With files from the Calgary Eyeopener