Comment: Yeah, I was a busboy (and was eventually promoted to busman.

Yeah, I was a busboy (and was eventually promoted to busman. Sorry. Bad joke) way back when, before restaurants started adding gratuity to checks for large parties. I completely understand why many restaurants went to this, because my experiences were like yours. Large parties run you ragged, act like the own the place and everyone in it, then act like they're doing you a favor when they eventually leave and leave a $10 on the table, with maybe some pocket change to boot.

Got to where every time I saw the hosts and hostesses scurrying around moving tables together it was like "oh hell, here we go again..."