Have visited NY a number of times and on he most recent visit I was unexpectedly put on the spot over a tip. My wife and I dined at the Windows on the World restaurant, great view, reasonable food, good service. Generally in NY I have tipped between 15-20% and when the check arrived it had a spot to sign "if I wished to have 15% added to the meal for gratuity", so I signed and handed over my credit card. When the card imprint came back to sign, it had the bill with 15% added for service and then ANOTHER blank spot for the Captains (our main table waiter) gratuity to be added before signing off on the total. Is this standard in the bigger restaurants in NY (or USA) and what should the tip be? I was a little surprised and ended up signing a 10% tip for the captain which of course meant a 25% tip total! In hindsight it was too much as a total tip - although the captain looked offended when he saw the 10%! Any advice for the future?
Rgds
Michael

This is not standard practice the US, but IS becoming more common. Some people (like me!) have a real problem figuring a 15% tip in our heads while signing a credit card, so I won't argue with having an option of just letting the restaurant do it for me. Whether or not you really were obligated to then add another tip for the head waiter is difficult to say. When in doubt, do what I often do, despite the embarassment -- ask! If you conclude you were unfairly coerced or tricked into too much of a tip, mention this to the manager. A tip is ALWAYS voluntary (well, almost), and you should NEVER be made to feel like you owe a tip larger than "normal."

In New York City the sales tax is 8.25% so many of us double the tax and use that for a 16% tip. In some of the very high-priced places like Windows, a 20% tip for dinner is sometimes appropriate.
(sorry to hear the view was better than the food, that's what is often said about it.)It is possible that Windows, like Tavern on the Green, is possibly trying to intimidate or take advantage of the unsure visitor, since that is a large part of their clientele. I'm not trying to demean your sophistication, I'm not familiar with the local "insiders'" tipping customs in Chicago or Toronto or other places myself.
When the place is fancy enough (or pretentious enough) to have a separate line for the Captain's tip, we usually allocate 5-10% to him and the rest on the other tip line. However, keep in mind that in many NY restaurants all tips are pooled anyway. Also, some captains do nothing more than offer you a menu,take your order, and disappear, while others bone the fish at your table, present your dessert, and make sure all evening that your dinner is perfect.
Perhaps the captain wasn't offended at the 10%, he just as likely might have been surprised by your generosity. Don't worry about it, but you know you can tip less next time.

Hello, Michael. I agree with Elaine that Windows on the World was taking advantage of one who might be unfamiliar with the NY norm. I live in NY and have dined in many very good and fine restaurants. I, like Elaine, just double the tax for average service. I tip 20% if I have been truly impressed but rarely over 20%. Over 20% would be a tip for a waiter who has gone out of his way to cater to a large group, handled well a bad order or other unwanted situation, or somehow was instrumental in making my meal much better than average. The "showy" places that attract many tourists like Windows and Tavern are not our best in NY when it comes to food or even service, so tip well only when served well regardless of a surprise request on the bill. Remember, you can always decline an extra tip. They will get the next tourist! I have had this experience ordering room service when travelling for business and sometimes the waiter does not say that the 18% gratuity has already been added to the bill. When I ask, some waiters tell the truth others tell me it is just a service charge not their tip (not true). Again, only tip above the norm for service above the norm.Have a good time in NY next time!

Good feedback everyone, thanks, its good to know a little bit more for my next visit to the greatest city in the world!
Michael