Restaurants Service Charges & Tips.

[Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot]

Sign of the times. Disgraceful. 

[filthyfox]

12 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?

I don't pay tips. I believe in clear pricing.

[The Blur]

Have anyone ever had a bad experience after declining service charge?

[Kopic]

I once accidently tipped 50 quid on a card machine when I meant to enter 5 and ever since that day I have never tipped anyone.

[FoyleFox]

6 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..

 

3 minutes ago, The Blur said:

Have anyone ever had a bad experience after declining service charge?

Yes. In America. First restaurant we visited in Miami had a service charge added to the bill. I requested it was removed and the waitress kicked off. Politely advised I'd decide if I would leave a tip, not them. 

I don't recall visiting any American restaurants and the bill not having a service charge included. 

[MPH]

1 hour ago, FoyleFox said:

 

Yes. In America. First restaurant we visited in Miami had a service charge added to the bill. I requested it was removed and the waitress kicked off. Politely advised I'd decide if I would leave a tip, not them. 

I don't recall visiting any American restaurants and the bill not having a service charge included. 

 

I live in North Carolina and the only time I have seen a service charge added has been for a large group of people booking together- like a work party. Never me , wife and kids.

[Benguin]

14 hours ago, MPH said:

 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.

I think you’re misunderstanding me. I know how it works in America. I’m saying that we’re not in America (where tips are expected because they don’t pay staff properly) and so I’m not agreeing to a service charge in a restaurant. I’ll leave a tip, in cash, to a waiter who is good though. 

[grobyfox1990]

17 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 must have changed since I worked in DC, service charges were bloody everywhere and then they expected tips on top. Absolutely scumbags. Pleased to see that has changed tho as SC + tip is disgraceful business practice

[Wolfox]

10 hours ago, The Blur said:

Have anyone ever had a bad experience after declining service charge?

Yeah…. A really bizarre situation in Hamburg…. I was using my company credit card and the waitress became quite aggressive about the need to leave a tip to support the staff and the kitchen…. Really weird and embarrassing 

 

I most certainly didn’t leave a tip though…

 

most waiters look embarrassed when you have to accept or decline tips on the card machine…. I’ve even some deliberately skip past that step to save embarrassment 

[MPH]

1 hour ago, Benguin said:

I think you’re misunderstanding me. I know how it works in America. I’m saying that we’re not in America (where tips are expected because they don’t pay staff properly) and so I’m not agreeing to a service charge in a restaurant. I’ll leave a tip, in cash, to a waiter who is good though. 

 

I thought you were saying that a service charge was automatically added in America and I was just explaining that it wasn’t- apologies if i misunderstood you. 
 

 

it appears by a few responses that some places do add a service charge - the touristy/ buisness areas maybe..

[UniFox21]

13 hours ago, Kopic said:

I once accidently tipped 50 quid on a card machine when I meant to enter 5 and ever since that day I have never tipped anyone.

My mate used to be a waiter, a guy one day tipped his pin code by accident

[Houdini Logic]

I personally like the service charge though I always ensure it goes to the staff before paying it and I'd also ask for it to be removed if the service was poor

[RoboFox]

I'll always pay the service charge. Too much of a wuss to ask it to be taken off. Life is awkward enough as it is. 

 

Wait staff don't get tips if it's included mind... And unless it's exceptionally bad service, they always get a tip.

 

I've been a waiter. It's wank. 

[RonnieTodger]

It’s down to contactless being the most popular way to pay.

 

I don’t like it, but I’d imagine restaurants among many other industries will have lost out a lot due to cash no longer being the go-to. 

[TeamRocket]

Why does just eat, ubar eat etc do service charge when we don't get any service at all? That always baffles me the most. Some times am lucky if I get a hello but alot of the times it's like they playing knock door run 

[Wolfox]

9 hours ago, RonnieTodger said:

It’s down to contactless being the most popular way to pay.

 

I don’t like it, but I’d imagine restaurants among many other industries will have lost out a lot due to cash no longer being the go-to. 

Exactly…. I don’t carry cash at all…. Most people I know don’t