Another Reason to Stay Out of Pennsylvania

In addition to opining about sports, politics and general culture, this blog will now include a new feature "Reasons to Stay Out of Crappy Places" usually that will mean Pennsylvania. However, Michigan will likely also be a frequent choice. Here is the initial contribution:

If you’re frustrated by poor service at a restaurant, think twice before you decide to not tip. You may be in for a bit more than just a dirty look from the waiter.

"Nobody, nobody wants to be forced to pay a tip or be arrested for terrible service," Leslie Pope said when her happy hour ended in handcuffs.

Pope and John Wagner were hauled away by police and charged with theft for not paying the mandatory 18 percent gratuity totaling $16 after eating at the Lehigh Pub in Bethlehem, Pa. with six friends.

Pope claimed that they had to wait nearly an hour for their order and that she had to get napkins and silverware for the table herself.

What the ? I understand it is customary to tip between 15 and 20%. I also understand that some places will include a minimum tip especially with larger parties. However, when a customer complains about poor service it is a better idea to remove the tip from the bill than to have them arrested. That restaurant has not just lost these customers forever, but likely lost the business of most anyone who heard this story.