Another view: the restaurant isn't guaranteed anything > people often don't tip. They place a 15% service charge on this and they trade their chance for no tip vs 15% tip vs 20% tip. I think they are making a good trade. If they are going to go the 15% route > they have judged me as a 15% tipper and usually have "made a mistake" (one way or the other).

It is interesting to note > not all of the restaurants do this. When we were in Cayman, one of the locals advised us to go to "such and such" restaurant because "they don't require a tip" and, therefore, don't usually get one from the locals (this also increased their upfront business). Either way, if they pre-charge me 15% > that's what they get. If the service is poor, I usually tip anyway because I am scared they will poke holes in the tires on my boat. But, we usually go elsewhere next time.

You can fleece a sheep many times, but you can only skin him once.

(We'll be down to BVI - Feb 20-27 on two power cat '39s if anyone is around)