Possibly not the waiters who benefit, but
some restaurants used to, and possibly still do, run an infuriating scam.

reasonably expensive meal. They add a 20% 'service charge' to the bill.

Give them a credit card, they print out the slip, and leave the blank line for 'gratuity'.

Unsuspecting (or pissed, or both) mug punter then adds another 10 - 20% to the total. That's a total including 20% extra, so by the time you've finished, you've proably paid around 40% on top of the actual cost.

I got caught by that at Langhans Brasserie. I only noticed when I got back to my office, and I actually took the time to go back and bellow at the fucking maitre D' in the middle of the restaurant until he refunded the whole lot to my card. Cunts.
(username failed moderation, Tue 12 Jul 2011, 13:12, 1 reply)

The maître d’ was fucking in the middle of the restaurant?
I'll be booking a table pronto.
( flake has nothing against your right leg, Tue 12 Jul 2011, 13:51, closed)

Book us a table for 2 flake.
& wear that special outfit I love, you know the one.
*I don't care who he's fucking - no tips*
(Misery McUglywife an attention seeking sociopathic fuckstain., Tue 12 Jul 2011, 17:54, closed)

Now,
someone isn't taking this seriously!
(username failed moderation, Wed 13 Jul 2011, 8:26, closed)