Automatic Gratuity

I always leave a tip and, when I can, I tip generously. I'm not the parsimonious kind, and I also understand how little waitresses/waiters (excuse me for not being politically correct; I'm sorry servers). But even so, something that really grinds my gears (if you watch Family Guy you will understand the grinding of the gears) is when I go to a restaurant with a large party and an automatic 15, 20% (sometimes more) is added to our bill, and then a tip is expected as well. This is not a case of me being cheap; I just think that gratuity should be earned, and not automatically applied to a bill. I will concede that a larger party is more difficult to serve; you've got more dishes, drinks, and desserts to keep track of and serve. But, to me this does not merit an automatic gratuity in addition to a tip. I have had breakfast at Bob Evans being served by the best waitress alive, and my family left her more than $70 (and this was when I was little, before it became mandatory to pay gratuity). Conversely, I have had terrible service at a different restaurant (which shall remain nameless), and although our waitress was not only incompetent but also rude, we had more than six people, so guess what? Automatic gratuity. I would have left her some money anyway, because it's straight up rude to leave without some sort of monetary token of appreciation. But to have to pay 20% gratuity for poor service? (and the bill was costly so 20% was a lot for each of us to pay). It's simply unfair. I think it breeds a poor work ethic towards large parties. Since I have never worked in a restaurant, I cannot offer a different perspective. But I know that I do not like being forced to give my money away, especially not to rude people. I have changed everything from hair stylists to college courses to get away from rudeness.

How about you all? Is automatic tipping ok? And do any servers out their want to offer their opinion? Share.