Restaurants Service Charges & Tips.

[Ashley]

Noticed more and more places are putting discretionary service charge and service charges on at restaurants. Where do people stand with these and tips? 

 

Personally I'd prefer to tip the waiter rather than paying service charges... also for anyone in the industry of working in restaurants, do you actually see any service charge money and how is it distributed among workers?

[SkidsFox]

So long as it's clearly marked, seems ok to me. It avoids having to decide what is a suitable tip to leave, and if the service is really bad you can ask for the fee to be deducted. 

Otoh it does mean dodgy owners can rip off their own staff, and they may miss out on a big tip.

[Benguin]

We’re not in America. I’ll leave a tip in cash if the waiter was good. Otherwise I’m always deleting that service charge. 

[grobyfox1990]

Hate it. I remember places that don’t charge the 12.5%, now increasingly 15%, service charge and make a note to go back. The whole idea is a con. You don’t want to pay your staff properly so pass the problem down to the customer? The US is absolutely absurd for this, amongst many other things of course 

[westernpark]

I normally tip, unless horrific service. These people don’t get paid enough. However, I always ask for service charge to be removed.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Should be at the discretion of the customer; I'll always tip if service has been good but there's something borderline sneaky about just tacking a service charge on.

[Captain...]

I never have cash, so it just always gets awkward when it comes to tipping. I don't mind there being a service as long as it's clear and not enforced and it should be 10%.

 

My preferred tipping method is when the card machine asks you how much you want to tip as a %. Quick, easy, no maffs involved and you can just decline it if you're really not happy.

[UniFox21]

Don't mind places that give you the option of paying a service charge on the card reader, those that force it on you I'm not a fan of at all

[SouthStandUpperTier]

Just waiting for someone to post the opening scene from Reservoir Dogs.

[FoyleFox]

Intensely dislike it being added. Prefer an option on the card reader.

[boots60]

25 minutes ago, SouthStandUpperTier said:

Just waiting for someone to post the opening scene from Reservoir Dogs.

Mr Pink who is opposed to tipping is the only survivor.

Perhaps a message there from Tarantino?

 

[Guest Mee-9]

That awkward moment when the card machine asks if you want to add gratuity, and you click the red button. 

 

Always feel like the waiter/waitress dies inside when you do that. Gets a bit awkward. The casual, 'What are you guys up to for the rest of the night?' turns to 'Get the **** out of this restaurant you heartless prat.' 

[Footballwipe]

I'd rather this nonsense was included in the price of the food and drink tbh.

 

Always select no, never tip unless the service is absolutely exceptional or it's a table decision. We have a minimum/living wage in this country for a reason. It baffles me that it makes up for the disgraceful lack of wages in other countries like the USA.

 

Isn't it also pot luck where you work whether you get tipped? Do people tip in Spoons? Or any other app-based restaurant who chase around delivering your drinks and food for you the entire time?

 

Tbh I know I sound harsh but the "expectant" element really gets my back up. A large chain like Zizzi's already charging over the odds for average food and way overpriced drinks, then asking me to add another 12.5% onto the bill? No thanks.

 

[South Shire Fox]

If paying with cash then just leave what you owe then walk out? Dont even bother asking to take it off 😂

Edited 6 February 2023 by South Shire Fox

[MPH]

6 hours ago, Benguin said:

We’re not in America. I’ll leave a tip in cash if the waiter was good. Otherwise I’m always deleting that service charge. 

 

not sure what you mean by this… no service charge added at any restaurant over here  that I have been to and Tips are somewhat expected IF they do a good job..

[Trav Le Bleu]

6 hours ago, SouthStandUpperTier said:

Just waiting for someone to post the opening scene from Reservoir Dogs.

Your avatar

[Blarmy]

Was in bar in York last night - the only person at the bar - and while one member of staff was doing the drinks another one put a tip jar right in front of me. I didn’t leave a tip. 

[Parafox]

Generally tip voluntarily in a restaurant.

 

I won't accept a "service charge". Surely part of the cost of your meal will include the "service"?

 

My daughter works in a hotel bar and has had a few direct tips for good service. Previously she worked in a pub which served food and any tips given were put into a kitty and shared between the staff at the end of the shift. To me that potentially rewards those who don't provide decent service.

[Adster]

9 hours ago, Ashley said:

Noticed more and more places are putting discretionary service charge and service charges on at restaurants. Where do people stand with these and tips? 

 

Personally I'd prefer to tip the waiter rather than paying service charges... also for anyone in the industry of working in restaurants, do you actually see any service charge money and how is it distributed among workers?

Fvck no.

 

Won't be visiting anywhere that has a "mandatory service" charge. I already pay a premium to go out for dinner and have the service included. 

 

If a waiter, or a restaurant, has gone out of their way to provide service that makes me go "wow" then okay, I will leave a tip. 

 

Otherwise, get in the bin. 

[Benguin]

2 hours ago, MPH said:

 

not sure what you mean by this… no service charge added at any restaurant over here  that I have been to and Tips are somewhat expected IF they do a good job..

That’s the point, tips are expected in America. In the UK they have never really been a thing but businesses have slowly started adding service charges to bills. I’d always advocate for tipping a good waiter but I’m not adding a gratuity on my bill for the restaurant, the price already reflects the service and then some. 

[SouthStandUpperTier]

2 hours ago, Trav Le Bleu said:

Your avatar

Good spot. Julian Joachim playing the world's smallest violin just for the waitresses.

Edited 5 February 2023 by SouthStandUpperTier

[MPH]

34 minutes ago, Benguin said:

That’s the point, tips are expected in America. In the UK they have never really been a thing but businesses have slowly started adding service charges to bills. I’d always advocate for tipping a good waiter but I’m not adding a gratuity on my bill for the restaurant, the price already reflects the service and then some. 

 That’s partly because waiters and waitresses are  exempt from minimum wage laws. They’ll often get $2-$2.50 an hr basic wage and that HAS to be made up by the customer. Cheaper costs for employers mean cheaper meals for customers but waiter MUST give good service and he gets a good tip. It ends up being a very good wage at the end of the night, actually. 
 

 

not saying I like the system, just explaining how it works.

[Wolfox]

I’m happy to tip unless the service was cr@p

 

always ask where the tips go though…. I’ve had some places telling me you’re just tipping the establishment 

 

ive worked as a waiter before and the kitchen and I always appreciated a few quid 

[MPH]

5 minutes ago, Wolfox said:

I’m happy to tip unless the service was cr@p

 

always ask where the tips go though…. I’ve had some places telling me you’re just tipping the establishment 

 

ive worked as a waiter before and the kitchen and I always appreciated a few quid 

 

 

I agree, 100%

[DennisNedry]

It's always seemed weird to me that it's increasingly a social norm to tip restaurant staff... Why not the amazon delivery driver? Why not the HCA who's looking after your elderly parent? Why not your binmen?

 

I only tip if I'm abroad in a country where tipping is expected and workers can't survive without them.