And the even weirder part is it was in a really nice neighborhood, so they must have had a backyard or deck area to sit on if they wanted to be outside naked

It's not legal everywhere. Deducting credit card fees from tips is explicitly illegal in California (http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/FAQ_tipsa…), and I seem to remember it violating MA's tips law too. I wouldn't be surprised if it's unlawful here in DC, but it's definitely allowed in states whose minimum wage laws follow…

You obviously do not know the law.

Literally 90% of the restaurants I've worked at charged us the credit card fee on the tip. Nothing to do with IRS for me, except that I always paid 5% out of my tips that were on a card. So if $100 was my cc tip total, I'd get $95 of that.

Super common in my area, especially in locally owned restaurants.

Wait, for real? That's why I've always found it important to make my customers make the card minimum—if they don't make it the fee money comes out of our tips. I thought only jerk businesses do that, but most businesses are jerks.

When the dog's gotta go, he's gotta go.

It's what's known as I Have A Technically-Proficient Attorney With Questionable Morals Syndrome.

I don't know if it is super common, but it is common enough. At least it was about 6 years ago when I waited my last table. Or about 4 years ago when my (then) girlfriend was bartending. The places in question would take 2-3% of all credit card tips. (Restaurant would eat the fee on just the bill) Ever since then,…

it isn't a restaurant doing this, it's most restaurants. When you pay with a credit card, a bank takes 2% or more. I am used to 3% but use an AmEx if you really want to screw someone (6%, I think and the money takes forever to cross over). So either the restaurant has to anticipate this and raise costs accordingly…

I saw an old couple sitting on their porch completely naked one time. In the middle of a Sunday afternoon. And it was really obvious from the road that they were naked.

I am pretty sure Jezebel was big on saying "no, Chris Brown didn't 'lose his virginity' at a ridiculously young age, he was raped

I think this was addressed in Ubertrout's article on how to be good to your server. He asked that we NOT tip in cash.

I'm sorry, forgive me if this is terribly ableist, but what in God's name mental illness has "helpless to resist directions to molest your child" as a symptom?

If the owner is honest about the fee, it's not stealing. I'm not making excuses for this particular restaurant, I'm just explaining why they may choose to charge the employees a percentage since the fee to run a card is so high. No need to be so rude.

I tell my boyfriend how WEIRD this guy is every time he's on tv, but he (bf) doesn't seem to understand. I keep trying to say he looks drunk yet sober. I'll try your explanation, it's great.

I don't think anyone can incentivize cash payment in 2014. That's not going to happen. Raise prices and you will lose customers. Lose customers and you won't have a business to provide employees with a job. It's a vicious cycle but that's the way it works. Like I said, the issue should be with credit card…

this is exactly what i believe Barbra ALWAYS looks like off camera. That exact expression, accompanied by a lot of shrill and abrasive questions. I detest Barbra.

May I come in and comment from an independent restaurant owner perspective? They can't afford to just absorb credit card fees. They are astronomical. Also keep in mind that they pay the 3-4% fee when the card is initially swiped and then another 3-4% when the card is run again for the server to add in the tip that…

... and they kept the daughter. I'm going to be busy vomiting up my soul for the next few hours.